Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:33 pm
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Absolutely, Mr Speaker, in the most offensive way.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
During the contribution of the Deputy Leader of the House earlier, he made the suggestion that I had provided a quote during question time which was inaccurate or the origin of which was unknown. That is completely and utterly false. The quote that I read during question time was a direct and accurate quote of the director-general of ASIO. It was in contrast to the Prime Minister's quoting of the director-general of ASIO, where he deliberately omitted words which had a very significant impact on the statement from the director-general of ASIO. It's also worth pointing out that we moved the suspension on a very serious allegation against the Prime Minister that he deliberately misled this House. They spoke out question time to 3.30 so this wouldn't be brought on, which shows how gutless this Prime Minister is.
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary
And you're a disgrace!
Milton Dick Speaker
The Attorney-General will cease interjecting. Under the standing orders, the Leader of the Opposition or any member is entitled to explain where they have been misrepresented. The end part of that was not necessarily part of that process. The member for Flynn has been patient in asking for a personal explanation.
Colin Boyce Flynn, Liberal National Party
During question time today the Hon. Minister for Resources said, 'unlike the member for Flynn, the PM and I have visited the Alpha HPA facility'. This is incorrect. In fact, on 22 March 2022, I was at the site with the then minister for industry, the member for Hume, the Hon. Angus Taylor. There are photographs of us at the site. Furthermore, on 22 April 2022, then minister for resources, the member for Hinkler, the Hon. Keith Pitt, announced funding of $15.5 million to the Alpha HPA facility. So, I would ask that the honourable member withdraw her statement and correct the record.