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

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Joint Committee on Human Rights chaired by Liberal Senator Dean Smith which has found the government's proposal to leave young people with nothing to live on for six months is:

… incompatible with the right to equality and non-discrimination …

Does the Prime Minister agree with the findings of the committee chaired by the Liberal senator?

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

I obviously respect the opinion of members of this parliament. I respect the rights of the committees of this parliament to come up with a position and, to the extent that the committee has adopted the position as characterised by the Leader of the Opposition, I disagree with it. I am all in favour of rights. I am also in favour of the rights of taxpayers not to have their money abused. I am in favour of the rights of taxpayers to say that young people should be doing the right thing by themselves and by our society.

Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are not giving them any money for six months.

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

The member for Gorton will leave under 94(a) having been warned.

The member for Gorton then left the chamber.

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

I had a feeling that this might come up in question time today, so let me just quote something:

Under our policy, young people will have just two options: they can be either learning or earning. No third option of sitting around doing nothing.

We'll provide additional work and training opportunities. And young people will be obliged to participate, to do something good for themselves, their families and the community. Learning or earning - no third option under a Labor government.

Who said that? The leader of the Labor Party in this House in May 2004.

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The member for Wakefield is warned!

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

I know that members opposite will say, 'Oh, that was Mark Latham. He doesn't count.'

Ms Collins interjecting—

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

The member for Franklin is warned!

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

I tell you what, Madam Speaker, the very next day members opposite—members who are still sitting opposite—said:

… doing nothing will no longer be an option.

We want all young Australians climbing the ladder of opportunity, not languishing on unemployment benefits.

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The member for Wakefield will join the member for Moreton under order 94(a)!

The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.

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

That's not our policy!

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

The Leader of the Opposition says, 'That's not our policy!" Well, you know that it is the policy of the member Jagajaga, because they were—

Opposition members interjecting—

It is the policy of the member for Grayndler. They were his words. No wonder he is suddenly distracted by his mate, the member for Hunter.

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

Stop making it up!

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

If I could remind the member for Grayndler:

… doing nothing will no longer be an option.

We want all young Australians climbing the ladder of opportunity, not languishing on unemployment benefits.

Well said! Well said, member for Grayndler! It is a pity that he does not have the guts to say it again.