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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Before the election the Prime Minister promised:

The coalition will engage in genuine consultation with business, the not-for-profit sector and the community before introducing legislation and regulations.

Prime Minister, which businesses were consulted in the 15 minutes it took for the government to agree to all of the Palmer United Party's amendments last Thursday?

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

Again, this is the sort of question that runs close to offending the standing orders, but I will allow it to stand.

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

As the member who asked the question knows, those amendments were actually withdrawn. The matter has been reworked over the weekend, and I am confident that we have got the balance right.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin and the member for McMahon will desist.

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

A whole range of people have been consulted over the weekend, including the Australian Industry Group—

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Watson will desist.

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

On that basis I am confident that the carbon tax repeal legislation will not only be massively beneficial for business costs and will massively reduce business costs, but it will very substantially reduce household expenses, and substantially reduce red tape and compliance. That is what this government wants to do—bring business costs down, bring families' cost of living down and bring red tape down. That is why the sooner we terminate the carbon tax, the better for everyone.