Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:13 pm
Madam Speaker, my question is to the Prime Minister. The Treasurer was asked about further budget cuts this morning. 'Question: are you looking at new ideas in case you can't get some of these things through?' Treasurer's answer, 'Well, we'll have to.' Now that the government has finally woken up to the fact that the budget is a miserable failure, Prime Minister, what are the new ideas that the Treasurer is working on to inflict new pain on the Australian people?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The only miserable failures are members opposite, who failed to deliver a surplus—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
in six years of government.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer
We love you, Swannie! Don't go anywhere!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The former Treasurer, the member for Lilley, had the gall to stand up in this parliament on budget night 2012 and say, 'The four years of surplus I announce tonight'.
Mr Dreyfus interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
He knows that a surplus is important. The Leader of the Opposition knows that a surplus is important because the Leader of the Opposition kept announcing that a surplus had been achieved.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Achieved! I am looking at Bill Shorten's Budget News from 2012—'A Budget Surplus For A Strong Economy'.
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
Madam Speaker, on a point of order, the Prime Minister was asked a direct question about this government's budget and he is not being relevant.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order. The member will resume his seat. He knows perfectly well that it was one of the widest questions we have heard.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Once upon a time when the Leader of the Opposition was a minister in a government, he said to the good people of Maribyrnong, 'A budget surplus for a strong economy'. That is what he wanted. He talked about a budget surplus for a stronger economy. This government will deliver a budget surplus for a strong economy.