House debates Questions without Notice
Working Holiday Maker Program
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:40 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer. Is the Prime Minister saying that the following words were not said by the president of the NFF on Sky News in an interview with David Speirs. Ms Simson, president of the NFF, said:
Do the deal today and do what it takes to get the deal done. If 13 is the rate that is going to fly today, well, look, you know, we don't want to leave here with 32½. But I need to be consistent in this, and we've always called for 15—
Speirs interrupted:
Yeah, yeah, but if it needs to be 13, just do it.
Simson, president of the NFF:
Do the deal. Do a deal.
Is the Prime Minister saying that did not happen?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Members:
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:41 pm
What this shows is the utter inability of the Leader of the Opposition to tell the truth.
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I was talking earlier today about post-truth politics. This is what is called 'truthiness'. It used to be a satirical term used by Stephen Colbert where people say things that are sort of true but not really true.
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
What the Leader of the Opposition is doing is thoroughly misrepresenting the National Farmers Federation.
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Of course they want us to get a deal done. But what the Leader of the Opposition said was—
Mr Dreyfus interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The Leader of the Opposition said that the president of the National Farmers Federation has called on the government to adopt Labor's position on the backpacker tax—and, in fact, that is exactly what they are not doing. Let's look at one tweet they have got here:
Clock ticking to avoid #BackpackerTax. … Tell them 15% is competitive & fair!
Ms Rowland interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
To be clear, we will continue to support 15 per cent as the best policy outcome.
Ms Rowland interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Mr Speaker, they are full of fun! What is it like being led by somebody who has no regard for the truth at all?
Mr Perrett interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Moreton will leave under standing order 94(a).
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
It is absolutely why both the Rudd and the Gillard camps did not challenge the Leader of the Opposition. He cannot trust himself. He indicted himself with his own question. He is incapable of distinguishing between fact and fiction. He will only tell the truth when it is in his interest to do so. The National Farmers Federation would love to see this resolved. So would we. What is the position they recommend? It is 15 per cent. That is their view.
Ms Keay interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
That is what they are recommending. They are urging Labor and the crossbenchers to support 15 per cent, and he knows it.
Ms Keay interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
But it does not suit him, because he is reckless about the truth. The Leader of the Opposition will say anything.