Gary Hardgrave (Moreton, Liberal Party) 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?

Gary Hardgrave (Moreton, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On hundreds of occasions, Mr Speaker, but I will only hold the House for three.

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

Please proceed.

Gary Hardgrave (Moreton, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, on 23 June the Weekend Australian newspaper published a story under the headline ‘Sacked minister, MP face rorts charges’. This article, which was written by Michael McKenna, said the Australian Federal Police had handed over a brief to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the previous two weeks. This story was wrong, and I am advised that the AFP Commissioner told a press conference yesterday that a brief went some time after that article was published. Further, on Saturday, 14 July, an article in the Weekend Australianagain written by journalist Michael McKenna—reported that a staff member was sacked by me after talking to the AFP. This story was also wrong. The staffer left for other reasons. Finally, today’s Courier-Mail headline reads ‘Print rorts case firms: DPP examining brief of evidence against Queensland Libs trio’, with my picture prominently placed in the banner space. I have not even been required for an interview by the AFP in the 5½ months since this matter began.