House debates Personal Explanations

Thursday, 18 October 2018 House of Representatives

Ed Husic

Ed Husic Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy

3:14 pm

I want to make a statement of a personal nature under standing order 68.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The member for Chifley may proceed on indulgence.

Ed Husic

Ed Husic Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy

During question time today, the Prime Minister made a reference to our side of politics, claiming that we were anti-Semitic. As someone who has spoken up against anti-Semitism and spoken up on behalf of mistreatment of Jews, particularly during various parts of the last century, that is a deeply offensive statement. I imagine that I am not the only person on this side who feels strongly about this and feels that the Prime Minister should do the right thing and withdraw that comment.