House debates

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Personal Explanations

3:15 pm

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

I seek to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

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

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

Yes.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition may proceed.

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

Today a newspaper columnist wrote a story about a meeting that I, Senator Wong and two of my staff had with the Business Council of Australia. What she wrote is fiction. The meeting was honest and productive. Unlike the Prime Minister, I don't blindly run the agenda of big business, but our discussions are always respectful.