George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

Yesterday, in the course of asking me a question concerning the Honourable Dyson Heydon, and in the course of making an attack on Mr Heydon, Senator Collins uttered some words which I described as 'sleazy' and 'dishonest'. Although no objection was taken to my use of those words at the time, the President has since intimated to me that he would wish me to withdraw them. So I do.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a brief statement.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No—when someone withdraws—

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That was not an unconditional withdrawal.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In any case, leave has not been granted.