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

My question is to the Prime Minister. In light of the non-answer he gave to my previous question is the Prime Minister seriously denying to Australia that he said 'a ratio of debt to GDP at about 50 or 60 per cent is a pretty good result'? Why can't this Prime Minister ever just tell the truth?

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

The Prime Minister will ignore the last part of the question.

Honourable members interjecting—

There will be silence. Otherwise, someone will leave under 94(a).

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

I said it is a lot better than 120 per cent, which is where the former government was taking us. The former government was taking us to a debt to GDP ratio of 120 per cent; it was taking us to budget deficits of 12 per cent of GDP every year. That is Treasury analysis of the policies of the former government. Obviously, this government was elected to fix the budget. We were elected to bring the budget back under control.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Sydney will desist.

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

As the Intergenerational report made absolutely crystal clear, if members opposite had had the responsibility to engage with this government on last year's budget measures we would have fixed the budget position for a generation.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Chifley is warned.

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

While members opposite have not had the decency and the courage to engage with this government—

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

The member for Corio is warned.

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

to address the budget mess that they created, while members opposite are continuing to sabotage a solution to the problems they created, we have made a strong start. Labor's debt and deficit disaster has been halved already and this year's budget will build on that strong foundation. This year's budget will be measured, it will be responsible and, above all else, it will be fair.

Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on a point of order: the member for Lilley made very unparliamentary comments throughout the Prime Minister's answer. I ask that he withdraw them.

Honourable members interjecting—

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

There will be silence. Did the member for Lilley make unparliamentary remarks? If he did, would he withdraw them to assist the House. He says he did not. The member for Solomon will resume her seat. This is not going to be a point of debate.

Mr Hockey interjecting—

The Treasurer! There will be silence. I call the member for Berowra.