Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

The Leader of the Opposition claims to have been misrepresented?

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do. I was misrepresented by the Prime Minister in question time.

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

He may proceed.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister said that I'd be relieved that the Prime Minister's plebiscite will go ahead. That is a misrepresentation. Let me state my position briefly for the record. I pay tribute to the advocates who put up the arguments to the High Court because they are concerned about the vile and negative attacks that LGBTI Australians will experience. I understand that people will be disappointed, but I say to those people who support 'yes' in the survey: turn our disappointment into determination—determination to win. If the survey must be, then we must win it. I urge all Australians: call your relatives; tell your friends; make sure that everyone you know votes yes for equality. You will see Labor members and supporters on street corners, at shopping centres and at train stations making the case for marriage equality, standing up for the fair go.

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

The Leader of the Opposition will pause—

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In conclusion—

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

I won't stop him if he's in conclusion.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In conclusion, I want to inform all Australians, that, if I support marriage equality, which I do—I'm fair dinkum—I will not be on the sideline saying, 'I'm too busy.' I and Labor will be on the front line—

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

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.

Mr Hill interjecting—

The member for Bruce can just leave. It's ridiculous.

The member for Bruce then left the chamber.

I'm just going to say to the Leader of the Opposition: as he knows, I extend an indulgence to him, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business. But misrepresentations need to be defined as to where people have been misrepresented. Given the Leader of the Opposition was part-way through, I did not pull him up till the end. I will not allow a repeat of that. I'm giving fair warning. A personal explanation is a chance to correct a misrepresentation, not to make a speech you can make during other times of the parliamentary day.