Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's comments this morning:

… we never opposed the former government’s bills to raise the debt ceiling. We never opposed them.

I also refer the Prime Minister to the Hansard record from 4 February 2009, which shows him voting against an increase in the debt cap. Prime Minister, why say to the Australian people one thing this morning when it is not in fact true?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. It is very well known that we opposed the former government's stimulus package back in 2009 because, as we said, it was too much too soon. But on, I think, five occasions—or was it four occasions—

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Prime Minister refers to the stimulus bill, but in fact the Leader of the Opposition referred to the Commonwealth Inscribed Stock Amendment Bill. The Prime Minister is misleading the House and I seek leave to table the Hansard to assist the Prime Minister—to remind him and to provoke his memory.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will resume his seat. That is not a point of order; that is an argument. If you wish to raise a point of order, kindly refer to the point of order you wish to make—and it must be one within the standing orders. That was merely an argument. There is no point of order.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This opposition, when they were in government, proposed on numerous occasions to raise the debt ceiling because they were addicted to debt and deficit. That is one of the many reasons why people wanted them out. While we always criticised their policy, while we always opposed the policy of debt and deficit, we never, when I was the leader, voted against it in the parliament.