House debates Questions without Notice
Climate Change
Tim Watts Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party
2:30 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why has the Prime Minister previously described climate change as 'absolute crap'?
Tony Smith Speaker
I am going to ask the member to rephrase the question.
Honourable members interjecting —
Tim Watts Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party
It is indelicate, Mr Speaker—
Tony Smith Speaker
I am asking you to rephrase the question without reference to the last section.
Tim Watts Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party
Why has the Prime Minister previously described climate change as 'absolutely not real'?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:31 pm
Mr Speaker, there was a colourful phrase that was used by me some years ago, but the quotation attributed to me by the member who asked the question is not accurate.
Tony Smith Speaker
Before I call the next member, there is a level of interjection that I accept is a reality of question time, but, if I hear members interjecting repeatedly and loudly, I will obviously warn them. I accept that in a robust environment there will be a level of interjection.