Warren Truss Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals
3:19 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the Labor Chief Minister in the Northern Territory wants a 50-year moratorium on the carbon tax, the Labor Premier of Tasmania says the tax is not fair, the Labor Premier of Queensland says she understands people's fears about the carbon tax, and the Labor Premier of South Australia says he has deep concerns about the job losses as a result of the carbon tax? Can the Prime Minister name one premier who is in favour of her carbon tax?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
3:21 pm
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I am very happy to name people who are in support of pricing carbon.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
For example, there is former Prime Minister Howard. For example, there is former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. For example, there is former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull. For example, there is former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson. For example, there is Andrew Peacock, who took a cut in emissions to an election. And the list goes on and on. As I understand it, the Leader of the Opposition—
Opposition members: Name one premier!
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The Prime Minister has the call. She will be heard in silence.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
My understanding is that the Leader of the Opposition is the only living national Liberal leader in this country who is opposed to a price on carbon.
Opposition members interjecting—
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition interjected 'pathetic' before—
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
and, yes, it is. The Leader of the Opposition has allowed his political negativity to mean that he has turned his back on the Liberal tradition of—
Ms Julie Bishop interjecting—
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
successful prime ministers like John Howard. They have walked away from that tradition because they are preferring the path of negativity to putting an idea in the nation's interest.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
And then, of course, I was asked about who I can name who supports carbon pricing. Let me actually go—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
I move:
That the member for Paterson be suspended from the service of the House.
Question put.
The House divided. [15:28]
(The Speaker—Mr Harry Jenkins)
Question negatived.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
After question time, I will be taking the time to consider my position.