Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the government now abolishing all foreign ownership restrictions, when the coalition was opposed to the abolition of the 25 per cent and the 35 per cent foreign equity restrictions in 2009? Isn't this just another example of the government playing politics rather than fighting for Australian jobs?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that members opposite are now embarrassed because they have had this revelation from deep within the heart of the Rudd government that the Rudd government, the former government, wanted to lift the restrictions on Qantas. Let me repeat for the benefit of members opposite. This is the former chief of staff to the former Prime Minister: 'We had the then minister'—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, there is a very direct question here about the 25 and 35 per cent restrictions and the reaction of those opposite at the time. It has nothing to do with what the Prime Minister is now referring to, and I ask for a ruling on direct relevance.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If members opposite are now trying to say that they are prepared to get rid of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent restrictions, come on, come on across! Come on across. If you are prepared to get rid of—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler will withdraw that remark.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

the 25 per cent and 35 per cent restrictions, please vote with us, because that is what the sale act does.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member is withdrawing his remark. Just simply withdraw.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We want to do what Labor planned to do. We want to do what Labor planned to do and we have it on the authority—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Isaacs and the member for McMahon will desist.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

of Kevin Rudd's former chief of staff that that is what Labor wanted to do. They were gutless then, and now that a government has been good enough to put it on the table they should support it.