Mark Butler (Port Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. It has been reported today that government modelling shows that an emissions target of 45 per cent reduction would mean a cut of between 0.5 per cent and 0.7 per cent of GDP. Does the Prime Minister still stand by the answer he just gave to the earlier question from the member for Sydney?

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

I am very pleased to take questions from Labor about emissions reductions targets because we have one: a very, very good target, a good and responsible target. Our target is to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030. It is in the middle of the international pack when it comes to absolute reductions, and, when it comes to emissions reductions per person, ours are the best in the world. We have the biggest emissions reduction target in the world when it comes to emissions per person.

I have been asked about modelling. Modelling commissioned by the former government, the Labor government's own modelling, of a 44 per cent target showed a $600 billion hit on our economy. There he is, $600 billion—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?

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

It is on two matters, Mr Speaker. On the first point of order: members are meant to be addressed by their correct titles, and the Prime Minister should withdraw the reference he just made.

Secondly, the question is quite specifically about impact on GDP, and the Prime Minister is referring to a range of other modelling issues but has not dealt directly at all with the content of the question.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did not hear the reference over the hubbub. I am sorry about that.

Opposition members interjecting—

No, I did not. I did not hear the reference, but members need to be referred to by their correct titles. They do.

An opposition member: He should withdraw.

I did not hear the reference.

Opposition members: We did.

Well, I think it would help the House if the Prime Minister withdrew.

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

Mr Speaker, I said that the Leader of the Opposition's carbon bill was $600 billion, and then I referred to him as 'Carbon Bill'.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, that is—

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

Obviously, if he does not like it, if he does not like being called 'Carbon Bill', I withdraw.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prime Minister—

Opposition members interjecting—

I am waiting for people to cease interjecting. I am going to deal with both matters together. It would assist the House if the Prime Minister withdrew in an unqualified way.

With respect to the Manager of Opposition Business's point about the modelling, the Prime Minister still has two minutes remaining. He is only just at the beginning of the question. You cannot insist on yes or no answers, and the Prime Minister is entitled to cover the policy ground of the question asked.

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

Mr Speaker, to assist the House, I withdraw in an unqualified way.

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, it was unqualified.

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

Mr Speaker, here is Labor's carbon bill. This is the modelling that the Labor Party produced in government of a 44 per cent emissions reduction target: $600 billion, Labor's carbon bill. It should be studied by the people of Australia. To assist the study of Labor's carbon bill by the people of Australia, I table the modelling.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Port Adelaide on a point of order?

Mark Butler (Port Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, Mr Speaker. Given that the Prime Minister is confused about his own modelling, I seek leave—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, sorry, resume your seat. Resume your seat. I call the member for O'Connor.

Honourable members interjecting—

No, I have called the member for O'Connor.