House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Personal Explanation Personal Explanation Member's Remarks MEMBER'S REMARKS Mr VENNING House of Assembly Schubert Mr VENNING (Schubert) (15:26): I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Leave granted. Mr VENNING House of Assembly Mr VENNING: During question time today the Attorney-General cast aspersions on my character and integrity and made damaging accusations in relation to my association with convicted criminal and fraudster, Terry Stephens. The only association I have had with Mr Stephens was through previous speaker Lewis, and Mr Lewis introduced him to me 100 metres from my office when I was walking back after dinner. Mr Lewis asked me later if I would assist him and Mr Stephens to get a permit from the minister to allow the selling of antique guns interstate and overseas. True. I did not ring Mr Stephens during that TV interview. It was a trick of his to push his auto dialler, and he had my mobile number in his phone. Nor did I have this conversation. Mr Stephens obviously conned everyone present that I was on the other end. I am amazed that, after the Attorney-General spoke at length today on what an unsavoury person Mr Stephens was, he would take his word on making this accusation against me. I think the Attorney-General's accusation is most unfair, mischievous and— The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON House of Assembly The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: I rise on a point of order. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Personal explanations have to stick to facts, not to the— Mr Venning interjecting: The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON House of Assembly The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: The subject matter of the explanation may not be debated. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Schubert. Mr VENNING House of Assembly Mr VENNING: I think there are certain standards that this house has to maintain, and I believe it is pretty unfair to attack a person like this. It is mischievous, it is unprofessional and it is very un-Christian. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Leave is now withdrawn.