Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

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

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do, by the minister just then.

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

Please proceed.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I sought leave to table the letter from the minister from which he just read. It was denied by the government; it was the government which didn't want that information. But the information also went on to say that the practice could recruit doctors from the international medical graduates. The fact is that they can't at the moment.

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

And the Leader of the Opposition indicated to me earlier that he wished to seek the call?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

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

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do, Mr Speaker, repeatedly, by the Prime Minister.

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

You may proceed.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again, the Prime Minister suggested—the offensive suggestion—that the opposition was hoping for the worst with regard to the pandemic. The worst in this pandemic is the loss of life. Five of my constituents, including two people who are known to me, have lost their lives during the pandemic. The comment is offensive and wrong. We were hoping for the best, which is why we called for the effective rollout of the vaccine and for purpose-built quarantine—

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

The Leader of the Opposition won't debate the matter—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

which is what the question went to—

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

The Leader of the Opposition won't debate the matter.