Mr LEE (3:23 PM) —Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Mr LEE —Yes.

Mr SPEAKER —Please proceed.

Mr LEE —I claim to have been misrepresented by the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) when he again today repeated the claim that I and my colleagues had made dishonest claims in stating that this government had unilaterally abolished the Commonwealth dental health program. He stated today that the basis of his allegation of dishonesty on my part was that the former Labor government intended to abolish the Commonwealth dental health program. I refer him to page 395 of budget paper No. 1 of 1996 that indicates that you claimed a $400 million saving in abolishing the scheme.

Mr SPEAKER —I gather that the honourable member for Watson has a question that he wishes to put to me. He as a former Speaker should know the normal practice in this place has been that you put your name on a list and we know you are going to be called.

Mr Leo McLeay —That's not so.

Mr SPEAKER —It has been in the last 35—

Mr Leo McLeay —That has never, ever been so.

Mr SPEAKER —The honourable gentleman should know that, since I have been here, which is somewhat longer than you, it has always been so. Do you wish to put a question to me?

Mr Leo McLeay —I do, Mr Speaker.