Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the government’s claims that fighting inflation is its No. 1 priority. How will a new tax that will increase the price of domestic gas in Western Australia reduce inflation?

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is pretty interesting to watch the unfolding barney among those opposite on the future of the CPRS, the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, and its application across the economy. I presume the reference here on the part of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is in relation to the proposed new taxation arrangements for condensate. I say to those opposite that either you are serious about economic responsibility or you are not. I say to those opposite, as they seek to pursue populist politics on this, that either you are serious about adhering to the budget bottom line or you are going to continue to allow a tax loophole for a particular category of production to sustain itself into the future, a tax concession introduced at the original time for a specific purpose which has now expired.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: it was a simple question—how will a new tax reduce inflation?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question has been asked. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume her seat. The question has been finalised.