Personal Explanation

MEMBER'S REMARKS

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (11:07): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH: On Tuesday, I gave a fairly lengthy speech about the Criminal Law Consolidation (Rape and Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill. Following that, I noticed a headline in The Advertiser saying, 'Such says T-shirts encourage rapes'. I have never said anything of the kind, and it is totally contrary to any view I have ever held. Furthermore, I do not accept the view that whatever clothing someone is wearing is any justification for sexual assault. There is no justification for sexual assault whatsoever. That heading in The Advertiser is completely wrong. I noticed that in radio transcripts the Minister for the Status of Women; the Women's Electoral Lobby spokesperson, Marilyn Rolls; the Victim Support Service CEO, Michael Dawson; Vanessa Swan, Director of an Adelaide rape and sexual assault service; and Mergho Ray of Relationships Australia commented on remarks attributed to me which do not accord with what is in my speech.

I will make the point that if people want to comment on what is said, they should comment on what is actually said and not what they imagine was said. I make that point believing that the media and other commentators have an obligation to ensure that they comment on what the member actually said, not what someone thought he or she said.