Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:00 pm
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?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
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
2:01 pm
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
Why did you double the deficit?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
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
You doubled the deficit.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Watson will be outside the chamber if he does not desist.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
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
The member for Griffith seems to be a slow learner. She will desist.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
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.