Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister, and it goes to his answer just previously, where he suggested the federal government had nothing to do with Clive Palmer's court case against the WA government just last year. Isn't that not true? Isn't it a fact that the federal government incurred costs of $770,000 for the Government Solicitor, $66,000 for experts and $41,000 to Clive Palmer as a result of the intervention in the case? Why does this Prime Minister never accept responsibility?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I said that the government didn't pursue the case, and that is exactly the truth of the matter. The fact that the Leader of the Opposition would seek to misrepresent that in this House is a reflection on him, not the government. The government chose not to pursue that case. I discussed the matter with the Premier, and the government chose not to pursue it.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

The Leader of the Opposition interjects about the use of taxpayers' money. Well, given that now over 50 per cent of the population have received a first dose, under the Leader of the Opposition's plan, he would have shelled out $3 billion for nothing.

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

I would say to the Prime Minister he is answering now a question he wasn't asked.