House debates Questions without Notice

International Monetary Fund

Thursday, 3 November 2011 House of Representatives

Joe Hockey

Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer

2:12 pm

My question is to the acting Prime Minister. I refer him to the words of George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the House of Commons last week, when he said:

I confirm today that Britain will not put its resources in either. We do not have a surplus; we have a large deficit … An active member of the IMF? Yes. Helping the IMF with advice and technical support? Yes. But the IMF contributing money to the eurozone bail-out fund? No. And Britain contributing money to the eurozone bail-out fund? No. That is Britain’s clear position.

Acting Prime Minister, is that Australia's clear position as well?

Wayne Swan

Wayne Swan Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer

2:13 pm

Australia's position is that we will support an expansion of IMF funds under the principles and guidelines used by the IMF, but the IMF will not be contributing to a European rescue fund in the way in which the shadow Treasurer has indicated today.