House debates

Monday, 13 November 2023

Statements

Personal Explanation

3:20 pm

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has indicated to me he is seeking a personal explanation.

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Do you claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

Most grievously.

Photo of Milton DickMilton Dick (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

You may proceed.

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you very much. In question time today, the member for Maribyrnong suggested that I hadn't expressed remorse in relation to the robodebt issue. I'd point the minister to comments I made at a doorstop in Brisbane on 8 July, where I said:

Again, when the problems were brought to the attention of the government at the time, the program was stopped. I'm sorry to those people that have been adversely affected. I truly am. In relation to those cases—

It went on. Secondly, on 13 July, in an interview with Ray Hadley, I said:

Well, I think we take responsibility for that which we got wrong.

The politicisation of what is a very serious issue by the minister knows no bounds in this chamber, and I'm happy to correct the record as such.