House debates

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Statements

Personal Explanations

3:23 pm

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

The member for Goldstein has indicated to me, and I will now ask him does he claim to be misrepresented?

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

I do.

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

Then you may proceed.

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

During question time, the Treasurer implied that I hold shares in BBOZ. I can inform the House that on Monday I submitted a statement of declaration that I had removed those shares, but it has not been published. For the sake of clarity, I want to read out this statement headed 'Deletion shareholdings BBOZ'. It says: 'I purchased these shares before market turmoil associated with COVID, to hedge against such a black swan event. I could have sold them at a profit at the time, but as I was part of the decision-making program that meant they reached their peak, namely JobKeeper, I chose to hold onto them, not secure a profit and maintain my integrity.

Photo of Mark DreyfusMark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Tiny Tim's getting tinier!

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

The member for Isaacs is warned.

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

While I did make a modest profit from the sale, it is mostly being outstripped by the Treasurer's active inflation agenda. I have donated it to the International Railroad for Queer Refugees, which assists people who need to flee their country from regimes like the Islamic regime in Iran. Meanwhile, I note the Treasurer's dirt unit has been briefing slippery spin in the process'—

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

Resume your seat now.

Resume your seat. When people are claiming a misrepresentation, it's simple for the House to be informed of where the misrepresentation occurred. You did do that in part, but the remainder of the answer, regarding commentary about the Treasurer and whatnot, is not part of how we do personal explanations; otherwise we'd be here all day. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | | Hansard source

I just bring to your attention that this was a very serious matter, where the shadow minister's motives had been impugned. I think he had the right to be able to talk in silence and explain the absolute facts, and he wasn't granted that by the House.

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business) Share this | | Hansard source

I'm happy to repeat it.

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

No, you're not going to repeat it. There are also matters that I understand are before the privileges committee. I'm trying to deal with that to protect all members as well. The member was able to explain where he was misrepresented. I gave him that opportunity, and he did so. Member for Chifley?

Photo of Ed HusicEd Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

My apologies, Mr Speaker; I know you prefer advance notice on this. In the contribution just made there was a reflection given that, for a member who submitted a change to their personal interests, publication took a number of days. The experience of many of us is that that happens quite quickly—in relation to an event that was published or made evident to the public last week. I'm just wondering whether it's possible for you, at some later date, to report whether there is now some delay in the publication of changes to the register of public interest, please.

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

I shall report back to the member.