Michael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

I thought I had already made my last speech, but I have to rise today because I believe I have been very grievously misrepresented in the media. I refer particularly to an article in today's Australian by the contributing editor, Peter van Onselen. The article is titled 'Senate repainted shades of green'. In the article he refers to some of the departing senators. I quote:

On the Labor side, two senior members of the Right faction are departing: Senators Steve Hutchins and Michael Forshaw, a former NSW party president and parliamentary convener of the Right respectively.

The section I particularly want to refer to is this:

Both men were early movers against Rudd's leadership after they felt he had stopped listening to the caucus.

That is totally untrue. I was never a mover against Kevin's Rudd leadership as Prime Minister. I have never spoken publicly about this, but I am forced to do so now. Everybody on my side and I think many in this parliament know where I stood in regard to that issue. This is not the first time that Peter van Onselen has written something about me that is incorrect. It seems to be an increasing habit. The journalist makes statements in the media without even bothering with the courtesy of ringing the individuals concerned.