House debates

Thursday, 10 May 2018

Questions without Notice

Taxation

2:25 pm

Photo of Bill ShortenBill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. For the last two days, the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and the finance minister have repeatedly refused to tell the Australian people the total cost of corporate tax cuts over 10 years from the specific date of 1 July this year, both legislated and proposed to be legislated by this government. Does the Prime Minister not know the answer, or is he too embarrassed by the fact that his corporate tax giveaway has simply blown out of control?

Photo of Malcolm TurnbullMalcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I refer him to my earlier answer, and I note that over the last several days the Leader of the Opposition has failed to apologise for the rolled-gold guarantee he gave about the members who had been sitting in this House, who, plainly ineligible, were still sitting here. From the time of the High Court decision in the Canavan—

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. I have a ruling that I'd like to make. I have been listening very carefully to the Prime Minister. I listened very carefully to the question. Whilst that is a topic of the day, the question did not relate to it. The Prime Minister needs to address himself to the substance of the question.