Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
3:16 pm
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
Most grievously, by the Treasurer.
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
The Treasurer asserted during question time that I had said all superannuation tax concessions were indefensible. This is just not true. I had said that delaying reform of superannuation tax concessions would be indefensible. The only person who has said all tax concessions on superannuation should be abolished was the now Prime Minister in his book, Battlelines.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
We are now going into argument, which is not acceptable.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer
Madam Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer
The member for McMahon just misquoted himself, and I refer to the address to the Committee for Sustainable Retirement Incomes—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Treasurer will resume his seat. The rule for personal explanations is simply that the member may show where he or she believes they have been misrepresented and then correct the record. They may not enter into debate. The member for McMahon, in fact, erred with the last part of his explanation and the Treasurer erred at the beginning of his. The Treasurer can try again, on indulgence.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer
I apologise profusely, Madam Speaker. The member for McMahon just suggested that I made reference to all concessions; in fact, I said: 'It is indefensible to suggest we can leave superannuation tax concessions for another day.' I would table his speech for the assistance of the House, but I have written on his speech 'Never let this go'.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
As a minister, you are entitled to table anything you wish at this point.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Treasurer will return to his seat. We have two issues here. The first is that the Treasurer said he would table a document, which he has the right to do as a minister, but he is also entitled to keep private notes from being tabled. I would ask the Treasurer: does he have a copy of the document he said he would table which does not contain private notes?
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer
No, it does have private notes, but I am happy to table it because the private note says 'Code 4, we are coming after your super', which is Labor—there you go.