Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister, but the Leader of the Opposition may also care to contribute on indulgence. Prime Minister, 31 Australians are diagnosed daily with blood cancer and the World's Greatest Shave is the Leukaemia Foundation's biggest fundraiser. Will you cooperate with the Leader of the Opposition to raise a $1,000 donation from the cabinet and shadow cabinet to help the foundation's research and support services?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did notice the member for Denison was sporting quite a different look today. I did make some inquiries as to whether or not he was feeling the Canberra cold a bit more than usual and I did express to him my admiration for his bravery in having done the Shave for a Cure fundraising. I know he is not the only member of the House to have done so. I did express the observation that I am glad that there are some alternatives, such as getting a crazy colour put in your hair for a limited period, because I think many of us around this parliament might prefer that to doing what the member for Denison has done.

There is a lot of goodwill and good spirit across the parliament—in both the House of Representatives and the Senate—towards participating in events like Shave for a Cure. I congratulate all of those who have participated. I am very happy to pledge on behalf of the cabinet that we will get into the spirit through fundraising—not necessarily through mimicking the member for Denison's hair style—and will be very happy as a cabinet to contribute the thousand dollars the member for Denison has asked for.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On indulgence, I congratulate the member for Denison and I congratulate the member for Dawson on their efforts for charity. I note that the member for Dawson has already raised more than $2,000, much of it from his parliamentary colleagues, for this important cause. Yes, the shadow cabinet will find $1,000 for this great cause.

Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I congratulate the honourable member for Denison.