House debates

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Questions without Notice

Carbon Pricing

3:19 pm

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

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?

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The House will come to order!

3:21 pm

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

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!

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister has the call. She will be heard in silence.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Hume is warned!

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

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

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition interjected 'pathetic' before—

Mr Hockey interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for North Sydney is warned!

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

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

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is warned!

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

Honourable members interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! I declare a general warning!

Photo of Julia GillardJulia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

And then, of course, I was asked about who I can name who supports carbon pricing. Let me actually go—

Mr Baldwin interjecting

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Paterson is named!

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

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.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

After question time, I will be taking the time to consider my position.