Personal Explanation

MEMBER'S REMARKS

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (11:47): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

Mr VENNING: I wish to make a personal explanation. I believe that the member for Light has totally misrepresented me and, worse than that, my family. I did not single out SAFF for criticism. I put all farmers in that criticism. Farmers first—and that also includes me to take the criticism as well. I didn't single out only SAFF. I also feel that it is grossly unfair to bring my family into this. What I do and say is my responsibility—

Mr Piccolo interjecting:

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order: can I ask that the member for Light sits in an appropriate seat if he wants to interject when the member for Schubert is making a personal explanation?

The SPEAKER: Thank you, that's all you need to say. Member for Light, if you want to interject can you please return to your seat? I'm sorry, I didn't notice he was there. Member for Schubert.

Mr VENNING: I also feel that it is grossly unfair to bring my family into this. What I do and say in this place is my responsibility, and it is very—

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order: this is not an opportunity to re-debate the matter: it is an opportunity to give a factual explanation.

Mr Pederick: That's what he's doing.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Well, I think the member is going beyond that when he thinks about what is fair, because what is fair is a value judgement, okay? That is the difference.

The SPEAKER: Member for Schubert, you really need to rebut what has been said.

Mr VENNING: What I say is my responsibility in this place, and I do not think it is right that any member's family should be brought into the debate.