Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) 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 honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do, Mr Speaker.

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

Please proceed.

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the Mackay Daily Mercury published on Friday, the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Regional Services, Mrs De-Anne Kelly—if she is reported correctly—accused me of being a hypocrite in relation to our assertion that the government had failed to fund the aquatic centre in Mackay in accordance with the Regional Partnerships program. She made that assertion on the basis that Labor, if it were elected, would abolish that program.

Labor will not abolish the Regional Partnerships program. Our commitment is to ensure—

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

Order! The member has shown where he has been misrepresented.

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

its greater transparency and accountability, and not allow the rorts—

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

The member will resume his seat.

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek leave to confirm that point.

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

The member for Hotham will not debate the issue. If the member wishes to show where he has been personally misrepresented he may do so, but he will confine himself to that point.

Simon Crean (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table a press release, issued under my name, of 24 May 2006 in which we say we will keep the program, and a speech that I made on 19 July 2006 in which I say we are committed to retaining the program but improving its transparency and accountability.

Leave granted.