Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:07 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Before the election this Prime Minister promised that he would reduce cost-of-living pressures, so why is this Prime Minister ramming a $2.2 billion petrol tax through the parliament today and why should every Australian have to pay more at the petrol station because of this Prime Minister's rotten budget?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Every time we get epithets added at the end it does broaden the question. The Prime Minister has the call.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The tax I want to repeal is the carbon tax, which is a $9 billion hit on households. It is a $9 billion hit on households and that is the tax that is beloved—absolutely beloved—of the Leader of the Opposition. He said before the election that he was going to terminate the carbon tax, a $9 billion hit on households. Every time it comes before this parliament the Leader of the Opposition is the vacillator not the terminator.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I am mindful of the ruling that you gave that when there is a tag to the question, like there was, it does increase the breadth.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
But to have a situation where he says nothing about the petrol tax at all—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order. I remind you that the question asked about cost-of-living expenses, which is what the Prime Minister is currently addressing. The Prime Minister has the call.
Mr Shorten interjecting—
The Leader of the Opposition will desist!
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
He never answers the question.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition will desist!
Mr Champion interjecting—
The member for Wakefield will similarly desist!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
If the Leader of the Opposition is concerned about tax, why doesn't he vote immediately to repeal a $9 billion hit on every Australian household?
Mr Dreyfus interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
If the Leader of the Opposition is so concerned about what he says is a $2.2 billion tax, what about a $9 billion tax? This is a government that will absolutely deliver on its commitments to reduce the taxation burden on the Australian people. The Leader of the Opposition should know, if he studied the budget as carefully as he claims—
Mr Shorten interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition will desist!
Mr Shorten interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
that there is an overall $6 billion reduction in tax as a result of decisions this government has taken.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition had asked his question and kept up an incessant flow of language across the table. He will desist. I remind him, as I did yesterday, that he is not immune from standing order 94(a).