House debates Motions
Goods and Services Tax; Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
9:25 am
I move:
That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended, as would prevent the member for McMahon from moving the following motion forthwith:
That the House:
(1) requests the Treasurer acts in accordance with Clause 5.1 of the Prime Minister's Statement of Ministerial Standards by attending the House of Representatives as soon as practicable to explain the discrepancy between:
(a) his statement in Question Time yesterday 'The only other group that I am aware of in this parliament who has raised it and had modelling and assumptions worked out on a GST increase is the member for McMahon, when he was the Treasurer'; and
(b) reports today in The Sydney Morning Herald that the Treasurer is in possession of modelling requested by the Liberal government on the impact of a 15 percent GST; and
(2) notes that if today’s media report is accurate, the Treasurer has misled the House.
Mr Speaker, there is one principle in this House and it has taken a beating from two ministers—
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
9:26 am
I move :
That the member for McMahon be no longer heard.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question is that the member for Watson be no longer heard.
Honourable members: No, McMahon!
Sorry. The member for Watson thinks I have a set against him. The question is that the member for McMahon be no longer heard. I could be accused of thinking ahead.
Is the motion seconded?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
9:34 am
I second the motion. If the Treasurer did not lie, he can stand up now and explain himself.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
I move:
That the member be no longer heard.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question is that the member be no longer heard.
The question now is that the motion by the member for McMahon be agreed to.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
9:37 am
I move:
That the question be now put.
Tony Smith Speaker
9:41 am
The question is that the motion moved by the member for McMahon be agreed to.