Page 5412 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 November 2011
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MR CORBELL: She said it after me and she confirmed my answer. That answer and her answer are consistent with the written advice given to me previously and provided to me during that hearing.
The third point that Mr Coe makes in his argument against me is in relation to question time yesterday. He says that I misled the Assembly in relation to my answer. What I said yesterday in question time is quite clear. I said that I stood by the advice I had previously received. That is what I said; that is what I answered. Mr Seselja asked for further particulars. I took that on notice and I have provided those further particulars today.
In relation to those questions, because they were taken as questions on notice, I went and sought further information. I received that information, at which time I also received advice from my director-general that the information provided to me consistently on this matter over the last couple of months was incorrect. I received that advice late yesterday. I asked for an accurate answer to be prepared for me so that I could come into this place and provide this place with an accurate answer and correct the record. I did that at the earliest possible opportunity, standing up at the beginning of question time in front of every member in this place to correct the record and provide an apology. That is the entirely appropriate course of action for a minister to take when he realises that an error has been made.
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Mr Seselja, please be quiet.
MR CORBELL: That is what I have done. To say that I am disappointed in the advice received from senior executives in my directorate would be an understatement. But regrettably the error has occurred. The key step is to correct the error—
Members interjecting—
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: One moment, Mr Corbell. Members of the opposition, please be quiet.
MR CORBELL: The key step is to correct the error, which is what I did in my statement earlier today in this place.
If you want to censure me for doing the right thing, for correcting the record, for having the guts to stand up in this place and apologise, then so be it. I have acted appropriately, prudently and consistently at all times, consistent with the advice provided to me by my directorate. There is no case for a censure this afternoon.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (3.38): Mr Corbell does deserve to be censured. When we look at the evidence, even in his response he was not able to explain his behaviour. I will go through that. We have not just one mislead—not just one mislead of the community through the Canberra Times—but several misleads in a committee, compounded by misleading this Assembly yesterday.
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