Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The United States is our closest ally, and 261 days ago it elected a new president. Over that period, the Prime Minister has spent more time making excuses for unacceptable live firing exercises off Australia's coast than he has spent in person with the US President. Following the Prime Minister's recent overseas travels, has he had a conversation with the US President?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister for infrastructure is getting close to being warned. We cannot have people interjecting during questions. It works both ways.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members of this parliament have a choice sometimes of whether they will back Australia or seek to undermine Australia, a very simple proposition. Those opposite have chosen, rather than supporting a position—which they did in government, to be fair—of supporting free trade, including the free trade agreement with the United States and, might I add, the free trade agreement that they signed up to with China as well, and rather than putting the case, along with members of the government, that tariffs are a cause of economic self-harm by the United States and that those countries that impose tariffs are imposing a cost on the purchase of goods and services—in this case, the United States is putting a cost on goods being exported from Australia into the United States—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!. Members on my left are going to cease interjecting immediately. It's not a rolling commentary. Honestly! It's a serious question, and the Prime Minister is answering it, and he deserves the respect that was shown to the Leader of the Opposition.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question they might like to ask themselves is: which country has got a better arrangement than 10 per cent? The answer to that is none. People do watch what is going on. The debate within our country is watched outside our country, and in most other countries what we are seeing—in the UK, for example—is that both sides of politics are putting the national interest first and arguing the case for their nation. We will continue to put the case, as I have to President Trump.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the Opposition has asked her question.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But we will do so in the full recognition that the 'America first' policy and ideology, which is being promoted by the Trump administration, is clear. To quote President Trump: '"Tariffs" is the most beautiful word in the English language.' We have a very different position, and we'll continue to put it.

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The House is going to come to order. The member for Wright! The member for Spence won't be here to hear the question if he continues.