Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Public Accountability and Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I have a question to you, Mr Speaker. In answering my question yesterday about the disguised appearance of Mr Gregory Andrews on Lateline, the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs stated that he had been informed of Mr Andrews’s appearance on the afternoon before the interview was recorded on 2 June 2006. However, the Proof Hansard of yesterday’s proceedings records the minister as saying that he was informed on the afternoon prior to 21 June. The Lateline program featuring Mr Andrews was broadcast on Lateline on 21 June 2006. I have watched and listened to a tape of yesterday’s proceedings which confirmed that the minister advised the House that he was advised of Mr Andrews’s appearance on the afternoon before 2 June.

In this matter involving a senior Commonwealth officer making an anonymous appearance on television to back claims made by his minister, the record is of critical importance. I ask that you view the tape of yesterday’s proceedings and ensure the answer actually given by the minister is recorded in the Hansard. I further ask that you investigate the circumstances of the inaccurate proof, including any requested corrections by the minister’s office that contributed to its inaccuracy, and report back to the House.

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