House debates

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Personal Explanations

3:42 pm

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I do.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

In question time today a clearly rattled and poll-panicked Prime Minister made misleading claims about my record as health minister. To correct the misrepresentation, I point out that in every year of my tenure hospital funding increased, from $7.49 billion in 2003-04 to $9.76 billion in 2007-08. It is absolutely obvious, and members opposite should stop telling grotesque untruths about the excellent record of the former government and the fine record, if I say so myself, of the former minister.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The leader has made his point.

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to table a document.

Leave not granted.

3:43 pm

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | | Hansard source

During question time again today the Minister for Health and Ageing suggested that the opposition leader and I were anti nurse. That is a ridiculous suggestion, and it reflects very poorly on the minister for health.