Dennis Jensen (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 51, I wish to raise a matter of privilege. The matter concerns the possible giving of false or misleading evidence to a committee, in this case the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. The giving of false or misleading evidence to a committee is a long recognised category of contempt. The success of parliamentary committees depends on their ability to receive truthful evidence.

On 10 March 2012, Mr Tom Burbidge, representing Lockheed Martin on the Joint Strike Fighter program, gave evidence in connection with the aircraft. There were a number of areas where he gave false and misleading evidence, including relating to the performance of the aircraft and in relation to its weight. These statements are directly contradicted by reports from the independent Director of Operational Test and Evaluation from the US Department of Defense, appointed by the US President and confirmed by the US Congress. I present papers in connection with this matter, and ask you to consider giving precedence to a motion in connection with the matter.

See this speech in context