Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:56 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today, the Prime Minister promised to be a government of no excuses and no surprises. Despite being asked on four separate occasions today to say exactly when he told the Australian people about his GP tax before the election, he has refused to do so. On what date did the Prime Minister tell the Australian people before the election that he planned to slug them with the new GP tax and when will the Prime Minister of Australia give an answer, not another excuse?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
It is almost a statement rather than a question but I will give the call to the Prime Minister.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:57 pm
The Labor Party well and truly placed on our national agenda the whole idea of a Medicare co-payment. Bob Hawke, the member for Lingiari, the member for Werriwa, the member for Jagajaga, Labor's shadow Assistant Treasurer, skulking and cowering down there on the outer front bench—
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The point of order is on relevance. I was not asking about anyone else. I was not even asking about when Arthur Phillip did it.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
As I said, it was more like a statement than a question. However, the Prime Minister has the call for a very broad statement.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Labor's shadow Assistant Treasurer has been speaking and publishing for years on this very point—'There's a better way of operating a health system.'
Opposition members interjecting—
You cannot disown your clear words.