Melissa McIntosh Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
2:50 pm
Milton Dick Speaker
The question was almost word for word the same as the last question. The Prime Minister has answered this question, so I'll—
Opposition members interjecting—
Order! I'm going to allow—
Opposition members interjecting—
That's what I was just about to say. I'm going to allow the Prime Minister to answer the question, but technically under standing orders questions that have already been asked can't be asked again.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
On a point of order, Mr Speaker, this is a very tight question. It hasn't been fully answered. The Prime Minister has not answered that question. He should be, frankly, given some indication now that he needs to answer that question, which he's refused to do so far.
Milton Dick Speaker
Resume your seat. You may not like the Prime Minister's answer, but he has answered a similar question. I'm going to allow the question. I give the Prime Minister the call.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
He's angry. I would have thought he'd have the weekend off. He could have relaxed, chilled out a bit and come here on Monday and been a bit happier. That's what his groups are telling him—that he's got to be happier—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
and smile a bit more. Remember when he ran for the leadership and he was going to smile some more. I remember that press conference.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
That was his core promise. Spare a thought for the poor old shadow Treasurer. He has all these economic questions and he can't ask one. He's got backbenchers doing it.
Milton Dick Speaker
The member for Deakin is warned.
Government members interjecting—
Order! Members on my right, there's far too much noise. I'll hear from the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
It's on relevance. There are millions of Australians who are hurting at the moment because of the decisions of this government. Instead of the hubris, can he answer the question, please. Core inflation is higher than in those other countries—
Milton Dick Speaker
Resume your seat.
Honourable members interjecting—
Order! I'm just going to bring the House to order. If this continues, there will be a general warning issued and people will leave the chamber.
The member for McEwen is warned. When the House comes to order, I want to hear from the Prime Minister regarding this question.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
When he's finished, Mr Speaker.
Milton Dick Speaker
The Prime Minister will continue with his answer and the Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
He's very angry. He's very angry and frustrated. I suspect he's angry because he knows—
Luke Howarth Petrie, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry
Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order on standing order 90 on reflections on members. We have had over one minute from the Prime Minister. In all of that time he has been reflecting on the Leader of the Opposition and everyone else on this side. Standing order 90 says—
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Resume your seat. The House is under a general warning now. The next person who interjects will be leaving the chamber. I want to hear from the Leader of the House.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Mr Speaker, Practice is quite specific about the sorts of things that constitute reflections on members. Pointing out that the Leader of the Opposition is angry is not covered by that standing order.
Milton Dick Speaker
I'm just going to ask the Prime Minister to return to the question. We're going to get through this in silence.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
I'm getting to the question. I too would be angry if I had presided over a 2.1 per cent increase. The largest quarterly increase was in March 2022. That was the highest. The highest inflation this century was on their watch, and their response after that quarter in March was to massively increase spending in the vain hope that they would be re-elected in the May 2022 election. That is just a fact. It is a fact that on that budget day they, of course, had a whole lot of new spending but no savings. It's also a fact that we produced two budgets that have produced $40 billion of savings. It's also a fact that we overwhelmingly returned the increase in revenue to the bottom line to take pressure off inflation. That is why Philip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank, said, on 2 May, 'Inflation in Australia has passed its peak'. That's why all the ratings agencies, including Fitch Ratings, have said that it is not likely to contribute to inflationary pressures in the economy. That's why Westpac's Bill Evans said, 'I don't expect them to put upward pressure on interest rates.' (Time expired)