Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In an article in today’s Australian it is alleged that I have told an unknown individual that the government had no more money for mental health, dental health or aged care. It suggested that this alleged statement has partly or wholly caused the resignation of the chair of the government’s mental health advisory board. I want to state to the House that I did not make these statements and I do not have the unilateral authority to make such statements or decisions. I would urge that anybody who is proposing to make a serious decision based on second-hand reports of statements that I am alleged to have made perhaps might want to consider checking with me first before they make any such decision.