Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:08 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday during question time the Prime Minister said, 'This is the budget that the Australian people elected us to bring down.' When did the Prime Minister tell the Australian people before the last election that he would cut $80 billion from schools and hospitals, cut pensions, hit families with a GP tax, hit Australians every time they fill up their car with petrol?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We said we would fix the mess. We said we would fix the mess, and wasn't there a mess—debt and deficit disaster stretching out as far as the eye can see? Let's remind members opposite of exactly their own record: six budgets, the six biggest deficits in Australia's history and not a surplus in sight.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It goes to relevance. I am just asking the Prime Minister when—what day, what time, when did he actually tell Australians about his—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. I am afraid simply repeating a question does not amount to a point of order on relevance. I call the honourable the Prime Minister.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
In case the Leader of the Opposition has forgotten, let me remind him what this government promised repeatedly before the election. We promised that we would stop the boats, and the boats are stopping. We promised that we would scrap the carbon tax, and, Senate permitting, that will happen within a month.
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There will be silence on my left. It is sounding like the chattering classes.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We promised that we would build the road to the 21st century, and that is already happening. And we said we would get the budget back under control.
Mr Shorten interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition has asked his question and will desist.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Members opposite promised a surplus year in, year out.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer
Swannie! We miss you, Swannie!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The Leader of the Opposition even misused taxpayer funding, telling his electorate that a surplus had actually been delivered.
Honourable members interjecting—
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
Take your medication. Go to sleep.
Mr Swan interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Lilley will withdraw forthwith.
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I am not sure whether I heard correctly, but I believe the health minister said, 'Take your medication' as an interjection. That is highly inappropriate.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
If the Minister for Health had directed that particular remark to anybody, he might help the House by withdrawing.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Health
If it helps you, I withdraw.
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I call the honourable the Prime Minister, who has the call, and we will have silence to listen to the answer—and that includes the Leader of the Opposition.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I am afraid members opposite are obviously coming to the end of their tether.
Mr Champion interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Wakefield will go under 94a.
The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
This question time is obviously overtaxing members opposite. The Leader of the Opposition did not just promise a budget surplus; he claimed it had actually been delivered. The Leader of the Opposition was a serial misleader of the Australian people. He was serially incapable of telling the truth. He did not tell the truth to Julia Gillard. He did not tell the truth to Kevin Rudd. He does not tell the truth to anyone. We said we would fix up the budget mess, and that is exactly what this government is doing.