House debates Questions without Notice
Asylum Seekers
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:59 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. How many boats has the government bought and how much money has the government set aside to purchase these boats?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
3:00 pm
I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that the important thing is: how many boats this government has prevented from coming to Australia. That is the important thing. Illegal arrivals by boat are down by more than 75 per cent on the results achieved under the former government. I understand that members opposite are ashamed and embarrassed of their record. Frankly, if I were them, I would be ashamed and embarrassed of my record. But our record is better than theirs—it is much better than theirs—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I refer to standing order 104(a).
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Prime Minister, the Manager of Opposition Business is requiring you to come back to the subject matter and be directly relevant. I ask the Prime Minister to be directly relevant to the question.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The most directly relevant thing that I can say to members opposite is that the boats are stopping. That is the most directly relevant thing that I can say to the opposition. On that note, after 21 questions I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.