Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. I refer to Senate estimates testimony yesterday that Minister Hunt has 'overall responsibility' for cities, that Minister Briggs has 'day-to-day leadership responsibility', that Minister Fletcher will 'oversee projects' and that Minister Truss will be 'heavily involved'. Who on earth is actually responsible for cities policy in your government?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I have to record my disappointment that the question was not the question I have been urging him to ask me; he has been threatening to ask me about that golden age in telecommunications—was it 60 days?—when the honourable member was minister for communications, when Kevin Rudd came back, like Napoleon from Elba, but with Albo by his side as his communications minister. There was a chance the NBN could have been sorted out, but he did not have enough time, and we were left in 'Conrovia'.

Turning to cities, the honourable member has run through the ministers that are involved in cities policy, but it actually goes further than that. Can I tell you that cities policy permeates every aspect of the government. It is like innovation. The fact of the matter is—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Grayndler will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

that the person that is in charge—and the honourable member has got some aspirations in this regard, I believe—is the Prime Minister.

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Gorton is now warned!