Bernie Ripoll (Oxley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your elevation to high office. I am seeking to make a personal explanation.

Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Bernie Ripoll (Oxley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I do.

Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Bernie Ripoll (Oxley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the ninemsn website yesterday, 23 November, in a story under the heading 'Cliches and insults, repaid with interest' it was implied that I was not ready for the commencement of sitting yesterday or for the vote on a division. I quote:

Not everyone was ready for such early hostilities. Labor's lycraed Bernie Ripoll and Liberal Bob Baldwin in sporty shorts turned up for the votes.

Rather than being late or not ready, I was on time—three minutes early for the vote and carried out my duties fully. I do not want to comment on the readiness of the member for Paterson, but I would like to point out that he wears the lycra well; I was not wearing any.