Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. Prior to question time, the Leader of the Opposition asked the Deputy Prime Minister to apologise to the family of Larry Knight for his 'left them for dead' comment. The Deputy Prime Minister was asked to make this apology prior to rising to his feet on any other issue, and that would have been the end of the matter. Does the Deputy Prime Minister honestly consider that the performance he just gave in this House was more important than an apology to the Knight family? Does he have any understanding of the gravity of the office that he holds?

Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. He knows full well that the inference that was drawn by the member for Maribyrnong is completely and utterly out of order. That exaggeration and extension was merely for his political purposes.

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Isaacs will leave under 94(a).

The member for Isaacs then left the chamber.

Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If that inference was clear, prevalent and relevant then a very competent fourth estate would have drawn that to my attention during the press conference, but it was not there. I have the greatest respect for Larry Knight, who at 44 years of age lost his life, and not once would I besmirch his character. But if you read the transcript yourself, member for Watson, you would see that I was talking to the member for Maribyrnong and about what he says. Read it now.