Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, Mr Speaker, and the amendment that I have moved is for the suspension of standing orders motion to include my motion—and I will read it to the House because it obviously goes very much to the reason why the suspension and the amendment should be carried—which is:

That this House requests the presence of the Member for Dobell to make a statement with respect to all the matters pertaining to his time as National Secretary of the Health Services Union and canvassed in the press, including but not limited to, his receipt of a gift from the NSW branch of the Australian Labor Party that remained undeclared on his Register of Members Interests for 77 days after the time had elapsed that such a declaration should be made.

The capacity to make a personal explanation in this House is a unique one for members of parliament, under privilege, to make a claim that they have been misrepresented and then personally explain that misrepresentation to the House. That is exactly what the member for Dobell will be given the opportunity to do if this amendment is carried. He can put his side—

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