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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, it has happened again. Last week in the Prime Minister's courtyard, somebody said:

A ratio of debt to GDP at about 50 or 60 per cent is a pretty good result.

Given that this happened in the Prime Minister's very own courtyard, does the Prime Minister have any idea who said this?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

There will be silence on my left. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

Given the Leader of the Opposition's enthusiasm to be the steward of his own Prime Minister's courtyard, you would think he would respect better what was actually said in that courtyard. So for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition, let me read exactly what was said in the prime ministerial courtyard that the Leader of the Opposition claims so much to occupy. What was exactly said was this:

Debt as a percentage of GDP, which would have been 120 per cent under the policies of the former government—

Let me repeat that: debt as a percentage of GDP, which would have been 120 per cent under the policies of the former government.

is about 60 per cent under the policies of this government. Now that is too high.

I will repeat: now that is too high.

We want to get it in a much much better situation than that.

That was what was said in the Prime Minister's courtyard. We will deliver on that in this budget.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

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

The Prime Minister has concluded his question.

Mr Burke interjecting—

Is it a public document? If it is a public document, it is not eligible.

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

Madam Speaker, it was on television.

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

The member will resume his seat.