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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-03 Daily Xml
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Personal Explanation

MEMBER'S REMARKS

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (15:26): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

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: I rise on a point of order.

The SPEAKER: Order! Personal explanations have to stick to facts, not to the—

Mr Venning interjecting:

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: The subject matter of the explanation may not be debated.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Schubert.

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: Order! Leave is now withdrawn.

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