Personal Explanation

Member's Remarks

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (11:30): On indulgence, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: With regard to the matter that the member for Lee raised this morning and I responded to, I said very clearly through you, Mr Speaker, to the member for Lee that I was confident that the transcript that I referred to was duly appropriate and accurately reflected in my answer in question time yesterday. I also said, though, that I would check and make sure that that transcript was accurate.

I have done exactly that and I am advised by my office that the transcript I was given and based my answer on was inaccurate. The member for Lee's suggestion that the transcript was different from the way I portrayed it in question time yesterday is right. Mine was a mistake based on having incorrect information in front of me. The member for Lee is correct and I apologise for my mistake.