John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. This now cannot be considered in any way, shape or form a personal explanation. I am always of the view that leave should be given at the appropriate time, even though I do not think after question time is the appropriate time. It should be after taking note. That is the general practice of this chamber. I take the point of order—and I do not like doing so in relation to personal explanations—because this has gone well past a personal explanation and is now debating an issue. Senator Fielding is entitled to debate an issue but not under the guise of a personal explanation.