Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to make a personal explanation.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the Sydney Morning Herald today it says:

A spokeswoman for the Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, said the former attorney-general Philip Ruddock had rejected calls in 2007 for the group to be banned.

The group that was being referred to was Hizb ut-Tahrir. In 2007, when there was concern about Hizb ut-Tahrir, I sought advice from the competent agency as to whether there was sufficient evidence for that matter—that is, the matter of prescription—to be considered, and the agency at that time said there was insufficient evidence.