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

Madam Speaker, my question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's gutless decision today to ambush motorists with a new $2.2 billion petrol tax with no mandate from the Australian people, with no mandate from the parliament. How much will the Prime Minister's petrol tax ambush cost the Australian people?

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

This government has a very clear mandate to fix the budget and the measure that the Leader of the Opposition refers to—

Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where was this in Real Solutions?

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

The member for Wakefield will take a warning early! You are on my radar.

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

was a budget measure. We have a clear mandate to fix the budget, and the measure that the Leader of the Opposition refers to is a budget measure. It is not a new tax; it is the indexation of an old one.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

There is far too much noise! The Prime Minister has the call.

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

We have been trying for months to get this measure through one way and, because members opposite are unwilling to constructively engage with this government on most subjects, we are now getting it through another way.

The Leader of the Opposition asks how much it will cost. It will cost the average family 40c a week.

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The member for Wakefield has been warned! One more utterance and he will leave!

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

Is that something I am relaxed about? No, it is not, because I appreciate that the families of Australia are doing it tough. That is why this government abolished the carbon tax.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

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

The Leader of the Opposition will desist. He has asked his question.

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

Members opposite are so concerned about the families of Australia that they want to hit them with a carbon tax again—shame on them.