Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his statement in the House today about the member for Lalor and also to his promise to her that:

I will not under any circumstances mount a challenge against your leadership.

I go one step further. If anyone turns on Julia in the 18 months ahead … Julia—you will find me in your corner against them.

If the member for Lalor could not trust the Prime Minister, why should the Australian people believe any promise he makes between now and the election?

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. If the Deputy Leader of the Opposition were observing the political debate in this place yesterday, she would have heard in my statement to the press gallery, prior to the ballot that was held at 7 pm yesterday, my reasons for a change in a position which I outlined clearly—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

responsibility for it. I would draw also the attention of the House to the multiple statements made by the then member for Warringah concerning the member for Wentworth when he was Leader of the Opposition. I do not think it is time for pots calling kettles black.

Mr Hockey interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for North Sydney is denying the Deputy Leader of the Opposition her supplementary question.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Speaker, I ask a supplementary question of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has just indicated he answered the question yesterday, but I remind him that this year he said:

When I say … to the people … across Australia that I would not challenge for the … leadership I believe in honouring my word. Others treat such commitments lightly. I do not.

Why didn't the Prime Minister keep his word to the member for Lalor? (Time expired)

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. I refer her again to my statement yesterday. I have nothing further to add.