House debates Prime Minister
Suspension of Standing Orders
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
9:01 am
I move:
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition moving the following motion immediately—That the Prime Minister be invited to attend the House immediately to:
- (1)
- explain to the House discrepancies that have come to light in relation to statements that he and the Treasurer made during Question Time yesterday that the financial modelling to substantiate their claim that Labor’s $315 billion debt will be paid off in full by 2022 are contained in the Budget Papers;
- (2)
- explain subsequent reporting in the media of comments attributed to the Treasurer’s office which now disputes their statements during Question Time;
- (3)
- explain to the House why the Australian people should have any confidence in a Government that expects them to believe that Government debt will be repaid by 2022 without any evidence or foundation for such a claim;
- (4)
- inform the House whether he has any confidence in the Treasurer, who has lost control of the nation’s finances and will not come clean with the Australian people as to the true state of the Government’s parlous financial state.
What we have seen—
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
9:03 am
I move:
That the member be no longer heard.
Question put.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer
9:12 am
I second the motion. Handing out cheques to dead people—
Stephen Smith Perth, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I move:
That the member be no longer heard.
Question put.
Original question put:
That the motion (Mr Turnbull’s) be agreed to.