Senate debates

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Personal Explanations

3:03 pm

Photo of Mathias CormannMathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 191, I seek to explain my statement yesterday about the so-called deal between Telstra and NBN Co., which has clearly been misquoted or misunderstood by Senator Conroy.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Are you seeking leave, Senator Cormann?

Photo of Mathias CormannMathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

I do not think I have to seek leave.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

I am not sure the issue you are raising is an issue that relates to 191, which I think is the one you quoted, was it?

Photo of Mathias CormannMathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes, 191.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Is leave granted for Senator Cormann to make a short statement?

Photo of Ian MacdonaldIan Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President—

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

I need to ask Senator Cormann: do you claim to have been misrepresented? If you claim to have been misrepresented, personal explanations are usually done at the end of taking note.

Photo of Ian MacdonaldIan Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, on a point of order: 191 says ‘claims to have been misquoted or misunderstood’ and it does not, it seems to me from a reading of the standing order, require leave. Standing order 190 requires leave; 191 does not require leave.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald, we have actually moved on from that, because I asked Senator Cormann whether he claimed to have been misrepresented or misquoted. But if you are going to use 191 the normal time to do that is at the end of taking note of answers.

Photo of Mathias CormannMathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

My apologies, Mr Deputy President. I was advised that I should do it after question time, but I am happy to do it at the end of taking note.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

It should be done at the end of taking note of answers.