Bob McMullan (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Did the Prime Minister tell the electors of Bennelong on Thursday that he was being up-front with them when he warned that he may force a by-election in that seat some time after the next election? Why did the Prime Minister change his mind on Saturday and tell his constituents that he would serve the full three years as the member for Bennelong only if the government won the next election? Which of these two statements was a lie or were they both lies?

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

I am not aware that I made the first statement.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! The Prime Minister has the call.

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

In words of one syllable, I say to the member for Fraser what I said to my constituents on Saturday—that is, if the government is re-elected and if I am re-elected, I will serve my full term, the full three years, and I will not inflict a by-election on them. I will not do what Bracks and Beattie have done.