David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, during question time I was misrepresented.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You may proceed.

David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For the second consecutive question time—the first one was last Thursday—the Prime Minister quoted a tweet of mine from 9 May, but only part of it; he conveniently missed the actions that were taking place in respect of foot-and-mouth disease. Again, today, the minister for infrastructure, representing the minister for agriculture, quoted that tweet.

I refer you, Mr Speaker, as a keen student of standing orders, to standing order 68 around personal explanations. The last paragraph reads:

If a Member has given a personal explanation to correct a misrepresentation and another Member subsequently repeats the matter complained of, the Speaker may intervene.

In two consecutive question times, the same tweet was quoted, but they conveniently missed the actions that were undertaken not only by myself as then agriculture minister but also by the member for Franklin, who was in fact the shadow minister for agriculture; under the caretaker provisions it was inappropriate for me to take unilateral action. Therefore the misrepresentation—

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We offered any support you asked for.

David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please look at the standing orders; you're not to interject while I'm doing this.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Franklin is interjecting not from her seat.

David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pick one of them up; you can buy one!

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of The Nationals will return and be brief in his conclusion.

David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, I think it's important that in two consecutive answers to questions on foot-and-mouth disease, the government have conveniently quoted portions of a tweet, which is a misrepresentation. Under standing order 68, I think it's important the House, on indulgence, gets an understanding from you, in particular, with respect to these rulings, about when you'd intervene.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member and I will reflect on his view.