House debates Questions without Notice

Liberal Party

Tuesday, 19 June 2007 House of Representatives

Bob McMullan

Bob McMullan Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations

3:17 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his comment last Thursday that neither the Lodge nor Kirribilli House were ever ‘made available to the Liberal Party’. What was the official purpose of the Young Liberals reception at the Lodge on 18 October 2006? Will the Prime Minister inform the parliament how many other functions or fundraisers have been held at Kirribilli or the Lodge for the Liberal Party?

John Howard

John Howard Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

My position is that no fundraisers have been conducted at either residence. That is my position. It remains my position, and it is borne out by the fact that what the Labor Party seems to be asserting is that the Prime Minister of the day—no matter what party that person belongs to—can never invite members or office-bearers of his or her party to an official residence. That is an absurd proposition.