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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-30 Daily Xml
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Personal Explanation

MEMBER'S REMARKS

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise on a point of order. I refer to standing orders 124, 126 and, if necessary, 137(4). Yesterday, it is my understanding, as confirmed during the course of the morning, the Deputy Premier made a statement to the parliament in an answer during question time, with reference to Jesus Christ. That is a matter which has been the subject of some public statements in the media today. I suggest it offends standing order 124. I indicate that during the course of the morning—because this reflects on standing order 126, the proximity of time with which this matter is raised in the parliament—I and others have reviewed the Hansard to identify transcript yesterday which read:

I have had a rough week, I have to say, but now I am apparently responsible for what is happening on Wall Street. All right, I am sorry. Give me a break.

Following a further inquiry during the course of the morning, I have been able to obtain a copy of Hansard at the time of 3.30pm—I have both of these—which states:

I have had a rough week, I have to say, but now I am apparently responsible for what is happening on Wall Street. Jesus Christ. All right, I am sorry. Give me a break.

On the basis of that information, I bring this matter to the attention of the house. Clearly, from a letter to the editor this morning, this has been confirmed as offending those in the general broader community.

An honourable member: A letter to the editor?

Ms CHAPMAN: A letter to the editor, indeed. Mr Speaker, I am sure that, had you heard such a statement being made, it would equally have offended you, and I ask you to call upon the Deputy Premier to withdraw and apologise.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (14:05): I need to make a personal explanation.

The SPEAKER: I was going to obtain some advice from the Clerk. I missed the remark. I presume that, if the Deputy Premier did say that, it was more muttering something to himself rather than a statement to the house. However, if the Deputy Premier wants to make a personal explanation, now is probably the best time to do it.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Thank you, sir. In a moment of exasperation, I did say that, and I humbly apologise. I said it quietly: I did not mean it to be said. The inference in what the member is saying is that I somehow scurried off, or a person on my behalf—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Is the Deputy Premier seeking leave to make a personal explanation?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I humbly apologise for something that was not meant to be said. But if this is the first order of business in this place today, I am extremely—

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier will take his seat. That goes beyond what is necessary—

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I have more to say, sir. The inference is—

The SPEAKER: Order! Regardless of whether the Deputy Premier has something else to say, a personal explanation is not the means by which he can say it. All he can do in a personal explanation is to withdraw his remark and, if necessary, make an explanation as to why he may have said it.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: On a further point of order, sir, the inference by the member was that I somehow personally, or someone acting on my behalf, asked Hansard to withdraw that remark. That is absolutely untrue and incorrect: no approach was made by me, nor did I ask to have it done.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I just ask the deputy leader not to make an inference that is not true.

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader can take her seat. I think the Deputy Premier has said about all that needs to be said on this topic.

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