House debates

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Statements

Personal Explanation

3:28 pm

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

Before I get to the member for Goldstein—it's in an order of precedence, how I'm approached—we'll deal with the member for Clark, who is claiming a misrepresentation. Do you claim to be misrepresented?

Photo of Andrew WilkieAndrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I do claim to be misrepresented.

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

You may proceed.

Photo of Andrew WilkieAndrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you. In fact, I was misrepresented egregiously. Yesterday, on Afternoon Briefing, the shadow minister for defence, Senator Paterson, claimed in an interview with Radio National Breakfast that I made—and I'll quote Senator Paterson—'strange and factually incorrect observations'. He said:

For example, he said that the Iraq war was launched in the lead-up to midterm elections in the United States, as this was. Well, actually, the Iraq War commenced in 2003 after the midterm elections, in the lead up to a presidential election …

I'm sorry that wasn't grammatically very good, but that's what he said. Senator Paterson may not have been listening closely enough because, if he listens back, he'll find that I clarified. I'll quote myself now:

Back in 2003, that was just after the 2002 congressional midterm elections when the Republicans had really beaten the drums of war and they did well in those congressional midterms. But by that stage they were on an inevitable course to have the conflict.

Now, given that Senator Paterson was a minor at the time, he may not have been paying as close—

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

Order! We don't need explanations, as I explained to the House when the member for Goldstein tried this yesterday with his commentary. I just need you to say where you've been misrepresented, not to give further commentary.

Photo of Andrew WilkieAndrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I'll leave it there, then, but I think it's pretty straightforward.

3:30 pm

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

Does the member for Goldstein claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

I do, Speaker.

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

You may proceed.

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

During question time today, the Treasurer continued a campaign of misinformation against me. I guess you only hurt the ones you love. I'm a married man, Treasurer! On Monday I submitted—

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

Member for Goldstein, I just explained to the House—if you're going to continue with this, you will not get the chance to use this as a procedure of the House. It's an indulgence I'm granting you. You're currently abusing it, which the member for Clark did as well. The rules apply to everyone. I need you to state where you've been misrepresented—no more, no less.

Photo of Tim WilsonTim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

During question time today, the Treasurer misrepresented me in claiming that I had updated my register of interests today. This is not correct. As this document will show, on Monday I submitted an alteration of interests to the registrar. This is the receipt, and I seek leave to table it as it was only published today. I seek leave to table it. All you need to do is accept it.

Leave not granted.

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

I thank the member. Before I move on, we'll deal with the member for Chifley, who raised this issue with me regarding the members' register of interests and regarding an individual's alteration. The issue that the member raised was about the timing and whether there had been any changes with the approach. When alterations occur, as one did occur this week—the issue was that it contained extraneous material which was not published. When a new alteration was allocated—which was today—regarding the same matter, without the extra commentary, which was published today, it has today's date on it, being a new submission. Ergo, the procedures have not changed.