Personal Explanation

MEMBER'S REMARKS

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (16:23): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: During question time, the Hon. Russell Wortley said that he was informed at Andamooka that I had only spent enough time there to pick up a slab and kick a dog. That is absolutely untrue. I was there for a meeting for two hours with APOMA—the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners' Association. At no time did I collect a slab or kick a dog. He has misrepresented—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I drove all the way from Adelaide but I am not going to spend—

The PRESIDENT: Did you kick the slab and take the dog?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, you might think it is a joke, but I do not think it is fair to misrepresent the people he met in Andamooka and suggest that, when I was there, I picked up a slab and kicked a dog. I would ask him to withdraw the comments and correct the record.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway has made his personal explanation. If he took offence to what the honourable minister said, he should have called a point of order or some of his colleagues on his behalf should have called a point of order at the time the minister was on his feet.

At 16:25 the council adjourned until Tuesday 1 May 2012 at 14:15.