House debates Statements

Personal Explanation

Thursday, 28 October 2021 House of Representatives

Susan Templeman

Susan Templeman Macquarie, Australian Labor Party

3:49 pm

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

Does the member for Macquarie claim to have been misrepresented?

Susan Templeman

Susan Templeman Macquarie, Australian Labor Party

I have been—most grievously.

Susan Templeman

Susan Templeman Macquarie, Australian Labor Party

On Tuesday, during the MPI on the Building Better Regions Fund, the member for O'Connor said that he had heard I had not written letters of support for applicants to that fund. Mr Speaker, he did not say who had made that claim, but the facts are: firstly, I actively promote the BBRF and all other government grants in direct emails to, for example, council general managers and mayors, in newsletters, through my grants list and on social media; secondly, in doing so, I encourage everyone to advise me if they decide to put forward a project for funding; thirdly, I offer to help in any way I can, including in writing letters of support; and, fourthly, I have written dozens and dozens of letters of support that have been requested over the last five years for grant programs, including the BBRF, and I encourage any group or organisation in Macquarie who applies for a government grant to be in touch with my office. Thank you, Speaker.