House debates

Tuesday, 19 April 2016

Statements by Members

Turnbull Government

1:33 pm

Photo of Joanne RyanJoanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise on this bright sunny Tuesday to ask questions of the House about where we have found ourselves. Three weeks ago the Prime Minister told us that he was calling us back for three weeks and yet the planes will be leaving this afternoon filled with members of this House heading home. We have been here for two days at great expense to the taxpayer—two days to do absolutely the minimum. People in this House are not afraid of hard work, but we were dragged up here for two days to do very little work.

What we have had is absolute chaos from this government from start to finish. We are still waiting for good government to start. The member for Warringah is here. I do not think we have had any governance since he was deposed as Prime Minister. All we have had is chaos. We have had a Prime Minister come out and suggest not just will he stand by the broken promise on Gonski; he is going to walk away from public education. It is absolute chaos, but chaos with a thread that I find very suspicious.

Photo of Alex HawkeAlex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

A conspiracy?

Photo of Joanne RyanJoanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

You are right, a conspiracy. They are trying to divide our communities between public and private education. It will fail because the community knows that needs based education is sector blind and will apply to all schools. I say to those opposite: let us bring on this election. Let us get out there. There are 74 days. Nine times the PM has said 2 July. Will he say it in this House today?