Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Revenue) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to media reports that his government will offer subsidies of $1,000 for the purchase of new LPG cars and $2,000 for the conversion of existing cars to LPG. Can the Prime Minister explain why this is not simply fiddling at the margins—as Senator Boswell put it—given that LPG is not available in many parts of Australia, LPG conversions cost up to $3,500 and there are currently massive delays in booking an LPG conversion?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The standing orders preclude a question being debated. The information contained in that question is now pure debate. The question could well have been asked in the first sentence. It is now just debate that he is engaging in.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Mackellar will resume her seat. She will not debate her point of order either. The honourable member for Hunter will come to his question.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Revenue) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You would think she would give it away, Mr Speaker. What is the Prime Minister’s estimate of the impact of his LPG policy on petrol prices and import dependency?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will be making a statement on these very matters after question time. In accordance with the courtesies normally extended, I have provided the Leader of the Opposition, about an hour and a half ago, with a full copy of the statement. Doesn’t he share it with his frontbench?