Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence: at the end of question time the member for Hunter said that there had been no costs order made against him in the case between himself and myself in the Federal Court. I table the order of the court. The third order is: 'The applicant'—that is to say the member for Hunter—'is to pay the costs of the first respondent'—that is to say myself—'as agreed or as taxed.' I look forward to the member for Hunter correcting the record.

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

The member for Hunter—

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence: I would like to respond to the Prime Minister.

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

No. I will allow you to seek to make a personal explanation.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can do it anyway you like. I assure you I am not seeking to politicise the conversation—whichever way you would like to do it.

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

Just the right way—which is for you to seek to make a personal explanation.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm not sure I haven't been misrepresented. I would have thought it would be more appropriate to do this on indulgence. But if that is your ruling, Mr Speaker, I would be very happy to take—

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

I will let you address the matter on indulgence and we'll see how go.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously, the Prime Minister raised this issue in question time. As I understand it, in a technical sense there is a costs order. To the extent to which that is true, I apologise if I misled the House. I was not aware of, nor did I fully understand, that matter at the time. But I can explain to the House that I understand there was no agreement between the parties as to costs, there was no dollar figure and there has been no demand on me for costs. On that basis, I was not aware that a costs order had been made. If the Prime Minister wants to continue to spend taxpayers' money and continue to argue that 10 per cent has been given back by a costs order he can do so—

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

The member for Hunter will resume his seat.