Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do.

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

The member may proceed.

Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In an opinion piece in The Daily Telegraph yesterday, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs claimed I had refused to meet with ex-service organisation leaders who supported his national commissioner approach. This is simply untrue. I have had many meetings with ESO leaders, some of whom support a national commissioner approach. Many support a royal commission.

Secondly, the minister claimed I declined briefings on the national commissioner legislation. Again, that is untrue. I had a briefing on the legislation with officials of the Attorney-General's Department, who had carriage of the legislation, on 3 September last year. I think that veterans communities expect better from the minister.

Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

The member may proceed.

Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was interviewed yesterday morning and asked to comment on the Channel 10 report which dealt with the disgusting acts of some staff members in this place. I gave an extensive answer before the interview finished. Journalists tweeted a line out of the interview which had grossly taken my comments out of context. I said I was horrified to learn of the reports. I said there was a behavioural problem in this place and that it needed to be addressed. None of this was reported, and when it was the damage had been done. Myself and my staff have been subjected to the vilest abuse. While we have been in the chamber today I have been sent a message saying that the Leader of the Opposition's office sent out a message referring media organisations to the video on Twitter, which is shameful. I would urge all of those who seek to do this in the future to be mindful—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Members on my left! The member for Capricornia will stop. She can go to the point where she has been misrepresented. She cannot debate the matter. There are other forums of the House where she can make—

Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw that.

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

I was about to say that you need to withdraw. Then you can go to where you have been misrepresented to correct the record.

Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like the record corrected. The full substance of my interview was not recorded correctly.