House debates Questions without Notice

Queensland Government

Wednesday, 3 June 2009 House of Representatives

Wilson Tuckey

Wilson Tuckey O'Connor, Liberal Party

3:40 pm

Mr Speaker, I have a question for the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of the proposed action by Anna Bligh and the Queensland government to renege on previous agreements with the Commonwealth to return fuel excise fees of 8c a litre to consumers in Queensland? As these revenues are raised by and belong to the Commonwealth and are then remitted via the Queensland government to consumers, will the Prime Minister act to prevent this blatant and brazen theft from his own Queensland constituents and working families?

Kevin Rudd

Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

Mr Speaker, I thank the member for O’Connor for his question. They could not even scratch up a Queensland member to ask the question. For goodness sake! What are the Liberal Party and the National Party coming to these days? In terms of the Queensland economy and investment in that economy and what you do, what we have done is put in, through our own nation-building plan, $11.8 billion into the Queensland economy. That is what this government is responsible for. All governments in the face of the recession have to take tough decisions. They have, we have, and we stand by our decisions.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

He didn’t even address the issue of petrol!

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

The Prime Minister has concluded. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat!