John Cobb (Calare, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer to the statement in a report by Growcom, one of Australia's largest representatives of vegetable growers, that farmers will be hit with immediate cost increases of between $5,500 and $45,000 a year because of the world's biggest carbon tax. Does he expect farmers to absorb the massive increase in their costs, or to pass it on to consumers through higher prices for their groceries, and, if so, how?

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not necessarily accept the validity of those figures at all. Just as we have had, day in and day out in the parliament, we will continue to have gross exaggerations made by those opposite. The fact is that the Leader of the Opposition has gone around this country claiming that the price rises will be unimaginable. He has said we will see the end of Whyalla. He has said we will see the destruction of whole industries.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance: the Acting Prime Minister was asked about Growcom's figures for vegetable growers in Australia; he was not asked about any other matter. He has to address himself to that question.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Acting Prime Minister has just begun his answer, and I call him to the question.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I have said repeatedly in this House, the impact on the overall price level is 0.7 percent, or less than 1c in the dollar. But it is true that it will have an impact on some costs and it will be more in some sectors than in others. That is why the government has put in place a Household Assistance Package as well as an assistance package for industry. We have done that because of those costs. But for those opposite to come into this House and exaggerate those price impacts day in, day out is simply reckless and irresponsible. What they are determined to do is talk down our economy and the hard work of millions of workers and tens of thousands of small businesses in our country.

The Leader of the Opposition is now running away from some of his more outrageous statements about the impact. We have heard about how we are going to have not a cobra strike but a python squeeze. But, of course, we all know that the Leader of the Opposition is simply a snake oil salesman slithering around this country making all sorts of poisonous accusations.

John Cobb (Calare, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: the Deputy Prime Minister is defying your ruling. This is about the costs to farmers.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Calare will resume his seat. Points of order are not an opportunity to reintroduce debate. The Acting Prime Minister has the call.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will conclude by making this point. We are providing $15 billion of household assistance over four years. That is $15 billion in the pockets of customers walking through the doors of Australian businesses.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You can't use the word, can you? You can't say 'farmers'.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Riverina! Before I recognise the member for New England I do want to welcome back to the House a former Speaker, Steve Martin. I hope he is enjoying the view from the gallery. The member for New England has the call.