Mr CREAN(3.17 p.m.) —Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Mr SPEAKER —Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Mr CREAN —Most grievously, Mr Speaker.

Mr SPEAKER —Please proceed.

Mr CREAN —It relates to comments made by the Treasurer (Mr Costello) in response to a dorothy dix question today in which he claimed, when he announced the freezing of the infrastructure bonds, that I was out there supporting the tax rorters. I make reference to the press release which I put out on that day in response to the Treasurer's announcement, which says—

Mr Reith —Where have you been misrepresented?

Mr CREAN —I will show you where the misrepresentation is. This is my quote:

Labor supports any move by the government to eliminate unintended benefits flowing from tax concessions, but having acted on this, it is imperative that the government act immediately—

Mr Reith —On a point of order, Mr Speaker: the member for Hotham is just debating this. He is reading out his press release. He has got to show where he has been misrepresented and then deny it.

Mr SPEAKER —I am listening very carefully to the honourable member for Hotham's response and I think he is reading directly from a press statement. I do not want the issue debated; I want you to demonstrate clearly that you have been misrepresented.

Mr CREAN —I am not debating it. I am going directly to the point of showing where I have been misrepresented. I said in the press release, dated 16 February:

Labor supports any move by government to eliminate unintended benefits flowing from tax concessions but, having acted on this, it is imperative that the government act immediately to put in place alternative arrangements to allow the best of these projects to proceed.

I seek leave to table that document which not only contains my point and shows where I have been misrepresented—

Leave not granted.

Mr CREAN —Oh, no!

Mr SPEAKER —Leave is not granted. Resume your seat.

Mr CREAN —I also seek to table the projects frozen under the decision taken by this government and upsetting regional Australia.

Mr SPEAKER —I warn the member for Hotham.