Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

most grievously, by the Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star on 20 June. Unfortunately, the Star has incorrectly covered my campaign to extend the subsidy that is paid, as many members in this House would know, to students to travel to Canberra. I am campaigning for needy students in my electorate to also have access to this subsidy, but unfortunately the journalist at the Star contacted St Monica’s School in Moonee Ponds—not in my electorate—instead of St Monica’s Primary School in Footscray, in the heart of my electorate. So, not surprisingly, this other school was not aware of the issues that I was raising on behalf of St Monica’s, who actually would like that assistance.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member has made her point.

Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do, Mr Speaker.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the Canberra Times today, in an article entitled ‘House Rules’, coalition MPs are reported to ascribe certain views to me in relation to AWAs and certain other media comment. For the public record, I have always opposed AWAs, both publicly and privately, and I did not make the comments that formed the substance of the article and comment by coalition MPs in the chamber yesterday.

Ian Causley (Page, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Ian Causley (Page, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Ian Causley (Page, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My attention has been drawn to a story I think on ABC television news last night and several stories in today’s printed media about comments I allegedly made in the joint party room yesterday. I think the allegation was that I spoke about the refugee bill in the joint party room. Let me clear the record and say that I made a broad statement to the party room yesterday but did not speak about the refugee bill at all. No journalist rang me to get my comments and I think it reflects poorly upon the ethics of the journalists.