Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier today, in a 90-second statement, the member for Corio alleged that this government and I, as immigration minister, had denied a short-term medical visa for Ayaan Mohamed:

… a young woman from Somaliland in Somalia who has a serious facial disfigurement because of a gunshot wound incurred as a child during the war in Somalia.

He went on to say:

Now, through Aussie generosity, facial reconstruction surgery in Australia has become a real possibility, with this surgery and the passage to Australia being offered to Ayaan free of charge by Brisbane's Wesley Hospital and the Rotary organisation. But Ayaan has been denied a short-term medical visa by the Abbott government …

He went on further, to say:

So, as it stands, Minister Morrison, this decision makes no sense. It appears profoundly unfair and it needs to be reconsidered.

He referred also to a report on The Project last night.

I can inform the House that that visa was indeed rejected. It was rejected in March 2013 by the previous government, by the member for Gorton. A further visa has been applied for more recently, in October. That visa has not been determined at this point. Madam Speaker, on indulgence, if I could just say this: if members—

Opposition members interjecting—

I have asked Madam Speaker's indulgence.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

I just wish to make a statement to the House.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I am sorry.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not wish to make a debate, just offer—

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A bit of order! Why don’t you sit him down?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has made his point about where he has been misrepresented. If he wishes to seek indulgence subsequently, he may do so subsequently.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek indulgence, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the minister can perhaps consider this at a later time in the day.