Personal Explanation

Domestic Violence Inquiry

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:24): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: In question time today, the Minister for the Status of Women accused me of misleading parliament with regard to my assertions about how much this government has given to the Foundation to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children—and I say that slowly because the minister cannot remember the name of the foundation.

I interjected that it was a piddling amount that we had given them and the minister confirmed that by confirming that we have only given them $5,000 when, indeed, it is $1 million to become a member of the foundation—which the Victorian government, the federal government and the Northern Territory government have all committed. They show that they put this issue front and centre.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:24): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: In question time today the Hon. Tammy Franks made an interjection when I spoke about this state government making a financial contribution to the foundation. Her interjection was, 'You know you have not.' I corrected her then and there on the spot, and said that no, in fact we had. She then asked how much and I have now provided that information. As I said, Mr President, I do accept her apology for misleading this place.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Now, look—

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:25): Mr President, I am sorry but I seek leave to make another personal explanation. I interjected that it was a piddling amount—

The PRESIDENT: Is leave granted? Leave is granted.

The Hon. G.E. Gago: I heard you. You said, 'No you didn't.'

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: I said, 'No, you didn't become a full partner.'

The PRESIDENT: I now call on members to make statements of interest. The Hon. Mr Kandelaars.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Mr President, I seek leave to make a personal explanation. I have had an injurious statement made against me and, under standing order 193, I have the right to have to have that corrected.

The PRESIDENT: Is leave granted?

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Is leave granted?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I will ask you, Hon. Mr Wade, to allow processes to occur without interfering. Leave is granted; go ahead.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: As I have said to the minister, my interjection was that you have not become a full partner of the National Foundation for the Prevention of Violence against Women and their Children—

The Hon. G.E. Gago interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, we need to hear the personal explanation.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: You could not even remember the name of the foundation, you could not remember the amount. To be honest, I thought it was only $50,000 that you had given them but, in fact, it was even less; it was $5,000. It is a piddling amount. That was my interjection. You should stand up for women—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Franks—

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: —and actually become a full member.

The PRESIDENT: Can you sit down for a second? These are not debates. A personal explanation is a personal explanation. I do not want debate. It turns this whole place into a sham. If any member steps up and seeks leave to make a personal explanation we should give them respect to do that unless the council decides otherwise. No debate, just a personal explanation.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Point of order, Mr President. Whether or not it is debate, the minister is to put her criticism through you as the Chair, not directly to the member.

The PRESIDENT: Point taken.