Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
3:10 pm
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
Yes. On three separate occasions by the Treasurer. I will deal with each one, if I may.
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
The Treasurer said in question time that I claimed yesterday that there was bipartisan support for the alcopops tax. I said no such thing. On 28 October on Capital Hill I said, 'Well, with alcopops there was a broad indication of support that this would eventually pass the parliament.' The evidence that I was right in making that statement is that, on 15 April, the legislation was moved and, on 13 May, in less than one month, it passed the parliament. That is what I was referring to.
On a second matter—
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
You were saying we were supporting it.
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
I did not. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to make a separate personal explanation—by the Leader of the House about three seconds ago.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I am sorry, it does not apply to interjections. Just get on with what you are entitled to do.
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
I will move on to the second matter.
Mr Pyne interjecting—
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
Today, in question time, the Treasurer claimed that I was incorrect in accusing him and the Liberal and National parties of not supporting the means testing of private health insurance. The Liberal and National parties voted against the means testing of the private health insurance rebate on seven separate occasions—that is, each available opportunity. I was right. The Treasurer is wrong.
On a third matter: today the Treasurer claimed that I was incorrect in referring to the Henry tax review. In fact, page 65 of the Henry tax review recommends that revenue from fuel tax imposed be replaced, not increased.