Chapter 1

1.1                   Mr Michael Smith has made an application, under the procedure adopted by the House on 27 August 1997, for the publication of a response to references made about him in the House by Hon Julia Gillard MP on 28 November 2012. The Committee considers Mr Smith should be given a response and the terms of the response have been agreed by him and the Committee. A copy of the response is at Appendix 1.

1.2                   In agreeing to the response, the Committee notes, as required by the resolution of the House for Rights of Reply, that it has not considered or judged the truth of any statements made by Members in the House or by the person seeking a response.

1.3                   The Committee recommends that a response by Mr Smith (at Appendix 1) to references made about him in the House on 28 November 2012 be incorporated in Hansard.

HON NICOLA ROXON MP
Chair

March 2013