Dick Adams (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. I congratulate him on his statement yesterday on forestry. Can the minister outline the government’s priorities in agriculture and the importance of providing certainty in policy, including the monitoring and protection of Australia’s flora and fauna?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question and his comments concerning the ministerial statement on forestry that was made yesterday. One of the important things for people in any form of business, including the farming business, is to have certainty. It is important to provide certainty for them so that they are able to make business decisions now, plan for themselves and then act into the future. That is the reason the government made sure that it put out for discussion the green paper on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, made sure it put out the white paper and made sure it put out the draft legislation and introduced the legislation into the parliament using a very clear timetable.

That capacity for certainty is entirely limited by the incapacity of the opposition to deliver on providing a position. Whether it be on the alcopops legislation, on the immigration vote that we had today or on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the only thing they have been unable to agree on is to not vote at all. The sceptics have gradually won the argument and the person who badged himself as believing passionately in action on this issue was willing to abandon even that. Of all the things that business will ask for on any policy issue, the one they ask for most often is certainty, yet we find ourselves in a situation where even that is not able to be delivered because of the state of the current opposition. The fact is that they are in the situation now of having more factions and groups than they have members.

I also deal with the importance of certainty in animal welfare in my role in the agriculture portfolio. The differences from state to state and the different sets of rules regarding animal welfare are seen as being a major problem, which is often raised in the ministerial council. My responsibilities do not go only to production animals; they also extend to domestic pets. The Leader of the House used the line a couple of days ago, in passing, that a dead cat can’t bounce. Annabel Crabb has revealed a story of the very sad passing of a cat, in the Quarterly Essay, which raises serious—

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. He was asked about agricultural priorities and, under standing order 104, he should stick to what he was asked about.

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

The minister will relate his material to the question.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of that protection of fauna, it is important that we know that when someone is in a bad mood you do have to take extra care of domestic pets.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have important responsibilities on the issue of animal welfare, and I am aware of potential threats to Jasper the cat, living at the Lodge. I do put the Leader of the Opposition on notice: if anything happens to Jasper the cat, questions will be asked.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I ask you to request the minister to withdraw that imputation. That was a grubby remark. I ask it to be withdrawn.

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

I am honestly, perhaps naively, not aware of what the aspect is that has brought offence.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! If the Leader of the Opposition wants to further expand so as to assist me—on usual reading of it, I am honestly having difficulty.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on the point of order, I understand your predicament, but, given the minister’s waving around of a particular recent publication, it was quite clearly a smear directed at the Leader of the Opposition. It is offensive and it should be withdrawn, and I request that it be withdrawn.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

If people really want me to take action, if they would just wait a second. To assist the orderly carrying out of the further business of the House today, I ask the minister to consider withdrawing.

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

On the point of order, Mr Speaker, we have come into this House, not just today but this week, to debate issues. They have engaged in a grubby, opportunistic campaign all week. Not one question on policy, imputations in every single question that they have asked for four days—

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

Order! The Leader of the House will resume his seat. Whilst not a point of order, a point has been made, but I will ask the minister to consider withdrawing.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Ms Julie Bishop interjecting

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

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I ask that that be withdrawn.

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

The offending member will withdraw.

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

I withdraw.

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

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.