Jason Clare (Blaxland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. I refer to the principle of cabinet solidarity outlined in the Cabinet Handbook, which applies to all ministers. Does the minister retain enough confidence in the Prime Minister, his government and its policies to remain as a minister?

Steven Ciobo (Moncrieff, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's been 916 days since I was sworn in as the trade minister, and, for the first time, the shadow trade minister has taken some interest in trade. Congratulations! It's 916 days later and you've finally found your voice on trade. Let me put it in terms so that even the member for McEwen and the rest of the Australian Labor Party can understand: yes.

Let's talk about the Australian people. The Australian people retain no confidence in the Australian Labor Party. The reason the Australian people have no confidence in the Australian Labor Party is that they know what they've got planned when the next election comes. The Australian Labor Party is going to impose an extra $200 billion worth of taxes on the Australian people. The Australian Labor Party is going to put a retirees tax in place. The Australian Labor Party is going to bring back an emissions trading scheme.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will take a seat for a second. The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's on direct relevance. The question is about his support for the Prime Minister. If he can't speak on it for three minutes, he doesn't need to make the full time.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business is welcome to give guidance through a point of order, but, as I pointed out in reference to earlier questions, the question had a number of elements to it, including in relation to policy. I think the minister is quite in order.

Steven Ciobo (Moncrieff, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me make it very clear again, because obviously the Labor Party can't keep up: the answer is yes. Let me make it very clear: yes, of course there's confidence. How much clearer can I make it? I make the point as well that there is no confidence among the Australian people in the plan that the Australian Labor Party has. We know, as the Australian people know, that when push comes to shove they will have a choice about the future direction of this country. The future direction will be between a higher taxing, big-spending Australian Labor Party or a lower taxing government that has made sure it creates jobs, creates economic growth and delivers a stronger and more prosperous future for the people of Australia.