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

My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer rule out the establishment of a new government bank?

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Acting Leader of the Opposition for her question. I notice that with the Leader of the Opposition away she has finally got one, Mr Speaker.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

She’s got five!

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The tactics committee says she has got five, is that right? She has asked me about media reports—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think it would be a good idea just to go through some of the media from this morning which relates directly to the management of the economy.

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

The Treasurer will resume his seat.

Sid Sidebottom (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Sidebottom interjecting

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

And for the member for Braddon, it might be the last talk that he has today!

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

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order of relevance. The Treasurer said I asked him about media reports. I did not. I asked: will the Treasurer rule out the establishment of a new government bank?

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

The Treasurer will respond to the question.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I said earlier that all of those allegations were absurd, but I was asked about reports in the paper. Of course there have been plenty of media reports about where those opposite are coming from in terms of the economy. This was at the doors this morning from a reporter to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition:

You’re changing your line from last week—

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order in relation to relevance. The doorstop interview has got nothing to do with whether or not the government is going to say yes or no to a new bank.

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

The question related to a proposal about a new government bank. I will listen very carefully to how the matter that the Treasurer is about to introduce in his answer relates to that question.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It certainly does, Mr Speaker, because there is a fundamental difference between those on this side of the House and those on that side of the House. We absolutely believe in infrastructure, in building it to invest in the economy—to strengthen it particularly at a time of global financial crisis. There are very big differences in terms of economic management between those opposite and those on this side of the House and they go to the very core of our future prosperity. This morning on the door, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was asked this question:

You’re changing your line from last week—

Andrew Robb (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and COAG and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on Emissions Trading Design) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order on relevance. There is a difference between both sides: we are not for a new government bank and they are!

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

The member for Goldstein is not assisting. The Treasurer will relate his remarks to the question.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This morning on the doors, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was asked this question—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! If those on my left would quieten down, I would be in a position to judge whether the Treasurer is being relevant to the question.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have been asked a question about infrastructure—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have been asked a question about its funding. This morning in a doorstop, this is what the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was asked—

Chris Pearce (Aston, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order of relevance: with the greatest respect, could you please ask the Treasurer to answer the question.

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

The Treasurer should bring his answer to a close.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have answered this question, Mr Speaker. This government is committed to investing in infrastructure, it is committed to examining any sensible measure to do so, and that is exactly what—

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

Order! The Treasurer will resume his seat!