(Personal Explanation, 17 September 2014, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

Last night in the Legislative Council two confused and offensive comments were made about me by the Hon. Dr Peter Phelps and Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile, respectively. The first comment was by the Hon. Dr Peter Phelps, who referred to me as the "puppet of the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore". He went on to say that I was not a puppet that is pulled by strings but a puppet that has someone's hand stuck up them. I assure the House that I am no-one's puppet. If I wanted to be a puppet I would have joined a political party. As to the comments by the Hon. Dr Peter Phelps, I simply say that I know dog whistling when I hear it. Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile—not wanting to be outdone—said that I was opposed to the Shooters and Fishers Party's bill as I was concerned that if Clover was not in Town Hall she would want the seat of Sydney back. Let me assure the House that Clover misses none of you.