House debates Questions without Notice
Federal Election
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
2:47 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Prime Minister has taken tax reform off the table, will the Prime Minister rule out calling an election before delivering the budget?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
As my friends behind me said, 'Nice tie, silly question'—that is the best comment one can make to the shadow minister. I can see the honourable member has now retreated from his ill-conceived efforts to undermine the property market and is now moving onto other matters.
As far as the government are concerned today, we are focused on the big issue of the day: the defence of Australia; the defence white paper. That underpins all of our economic plans—every single element of our future prosperity. Yes, it depends on innovation. It depends on competition. It depends on greater participation. It depends on kids learning STEM subjects at school and coding. It depends on greater productivity. It depends on the reforms that we have been introducing—
Ms Owens interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
responding to the Harper review. It will depend on important reforms to this place, including the reforms to the Senate voting system, which Labor used to support but now apparently opposes. All of these reforms are vitally important.
But underpinning all of that is security and stability in our region. That is the absolute, necessary element for our future prosperity. And that is why our investment in the defence plan, set out in the defence white paper, underpins the security of Australia and—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
It's a serious question.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
It was a stupid question.
Mr Albanese interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Leader of the House and the member for Grayndler are delaying question time.