Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member may proceed.

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

During question time today, the Minister for Home Affairs said in relation to me, 'I don't know, as is being alleged against the member for McMahon, whether the person was a financial donor to the Labor Party.' The minister is referring to a story in yesterday's The Australian newspaper which quotes a government source making that allegation. The story refers to two cases. To be clear, in the first case, relating to a soccer player, I acted neither in favour nor against departmental advice because I did not make the decision; the department made the decision. In relation to the second case, a decision which was referred to the member for Watson as immigration minister, I did not make any representations and the member for Watson did not intervene, unlike the cases that have been referred to in relation to the Minister for Home Affairs.