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

Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the Leader of the Opposition claim to have been misrepresented?

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

I do indeed, Madam Deputy Speaker, on numerous occasions in question time today.

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

Please proceed.

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

Most egregiously, in the debate just concluded the Leader of the House claimed that I had not condemned the speech given by Senator Bernardi last night in the Senate. This is simply false. Let me quote from the release I put out earlier today—and I quote slowly and deliberately, and I hope that the Leader of the House is listening:

… I will not tolerate comments that are offensive to people in same-sex relationships.

I correct the record and I think if the Leader of the House had any decency he would accept that he got it dead wrong and offer an apology.

Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the member for Wills claim to have been misrepresented?

Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I do, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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

Please proceed.

Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In question time the member for North Sydney claimed that I have asked the Treasurer yesterday, 'Where's the money coming from?' I did no such thing. I strongly support the government's financial strategy and reject the approach of Campbell Newman, Ted Baillieu and Barry O'Farrell.

Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the member for Solomon claim to have been misrepresented?

Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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

Please proceed.

Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On page 22 of today's NT News they ask:

WHAT were the important issues raised by our Federal MP NatashaGriggs in Canberra this week? Indigenous disadvantage, the carbon tax, asylum seekers? No—reality TV and the NRL. Griggs used her talk time in Parliament to gloat about Territorians Shiane Hawke, Ben Barba and Jessica Mauboy until she was cut off by the Speaker and told her time had expired.

It is perfectly normal to talk about constituents in three-minute constituency statements. This week I have also talked about and raised matters relating to the budget, border protection, not-for-profit organisations—

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

Order! The member for Solomon will resume her seat.