Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:35 pm
Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Serially, in question time today.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
The health minister claimed that I had cut $1 billion from hospital funding. This is false. Hospital funding increased by 17 per cent in real terms when I was the health minister. The Prime Minister claimed, falsely, that I intended to cut funding from public schools. In fact, no school will be worse off under the coalition; there will be no hit-list, like the Prime Minister's—
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition knows that he can only refer to where he claims to have been misrepresented.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Finally, the Prime Minister claimed that I would keep the carbon tax. Let me just say: when I say 'there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead' I am telling the truth.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
3:36 pm
Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
Does the Manager of Opposition Business claim to have been misrepresented?
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
I do, most grievously.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business has the call.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
In question time today the Prime Minister selectively quoted from a transcript of mine from a doorstop interview this morning, in an attempt to pretend that I somehow have a policy of reducing funding to public schools.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business must demonstrate where he has been misrepresented.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
The Prime Minister suggested in question time today that I have an agenda to reduce funding to public schools. Why is the Leader of the House standing at the dispatch box?
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Leader of the House is seeking the call.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
On what basis?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, if the member just wants to table the document, it will be allowed and we can move on.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
The Prime Minister's assertion is patently false. In fact, I said:
I can make the guarantee that no school will be worse off under a Coalition government—
because our policy is the current quantum of funds plus six per cent indexation for non-government schools and government schools. Further, I said, 'Yesterday the Prime Minister tried to convince people of a base lie, and the Leader of the Opposition and I took exception to it.' Further, I said, 'The coalition is the only political party with the policy of putting more funds into both public and non-government schools to a six per cent indexation—' (Time expired)
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat.
Bruce Billson Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
3:38 pm
Deputy Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
Does the member for Dunkley claim to have been misrepresented?
Bruce Billson Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
I have, terribly so.
Bruce Billson Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
In question time today the Prime Minister asserted that I supported her carbon policy, selectively quoting from a speech in 2009 referring back to a report from 1998, when I enjoyed the company of the former Speaker.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The member must demonstrate where he has been misrepresented.
Bruce Billson Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
It is completely false to suggest that amounted to support for her policy. When I told the electorate I did not support a carbon tax, I meant it, and I keep my word.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
3:39 pm
Deputy Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
Does the member for Dickson claim to have been misrepresented?
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
Yes.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
During question time today the Prime Minister asserted that I went to the election with a lie similar to hers at the last election, and that is not true.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
Sorry, an untruth. I am sorry. It was a mistruth which of course—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House
Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, this is the second member out of the last three getting to their feet so that they can use a word that you have ruled disorderly. He should withdraw.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop interjecting—
Ms Anna Burke Deputy-Speaker
The member for Mackellar is not assisting. The member for Dickson has the call. He will demonstrate where he has been misrepresented.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
I am happy to help the House and withdraw. It was a gross misrepresentation, and I did not seek to mislead the people at the last election. I was clear in that I did not support a carbon tax. I will not support a carbon tax. And I will be voting with Tony Abbott to vote it down.