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

My question is to the Prime Minister. On 20 May and many times since the Prime Minister has said about his budget, 'There is no alternative.' But the Treasurer said this morning, 'There are other alternatives that we can take.' The Australian people want to know who is running the country. Is it the Prime Minister, is it the Treasurer or is it the absent Clive Palmer?

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

I call the Hon. Prime Minister, and we will have some silence on both sides of the chamber.

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

We must deal with Labor's debt and deficit disaster. It is as simple as that. We must deal with Labor's debt and deficit disaster. When members opposite were in government they gave us the six biggest deficits in Australia's history. They gave us debt and deficit stretching out as far as the eye can see—$123 billion in prospective deficits over four years, debt peaking at $667 billion.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why did you double the deficit?

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

The deputy leader will desist.

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

As a result of this budget we get back to balance within four years and we reduce Labor's peak debt by almost $300 billion.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You doubled the deficit.

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

The member for Watson will be outside the chamber if he does not desist.

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

Members opposite could come up with an alternative, but of course they do not. The problem with members opposite—

Ms Butler interjecting—

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

The member for Griffith seems to be a slow learner. She will desist.

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

is that they were incompetent in government and irresponsible in opposition. The one thing about this Labor Party is that they were wreckers in government and now they are trying to wreck government, and this is why it is so important that the budget be supported.