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

Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.

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

The Prime Minister may proceed.

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

I was asked by the Leader of the Opposition a question regarding the investment in the Murray-Darling Basin. I was asked about whether it would extend to areas outside the immediate basin.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Albanese interjecting

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

The member for Grayndler has already been warned!

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

I indicated that I had made that quite clear when I announced the plan for national water security on 25 January. I quote from page 5 of the speech, where I said:

Districts such as the Burdekin in Queensland and Harvey Irrigation Area in Western Australia will also be able to significantly improve the efficiency of water use.

That makes it perfectly clear, if the Leader of the Opposition had bothered to do his homework on this issue, that it did extend beyond the immediate Murray-Darling Basin area.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Is it in order for the Prime Minister to add to an answer and in doing it answer a question which he was not asked?

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

The member for Grayndler will resume his seat! The Prime Minister is entirely in order and is able to add to an answer.