Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training
3:03 pm
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.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training
I do not think I have to seek leave.
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
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?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training
Yes, 191.
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
Is leave granted for Senator Cormann to make a short statement?
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia
Mr Deputy President—
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
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.
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia
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.
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
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.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training
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.
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
It should be done at the end of taking note of answers.