Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prime Minister, it is well established that the opposition is the party or the group which has the most non-government members in the House of Representatives. Seeing as the crossbench is now as big as the Liberal Party and likely to soon exceed them with more defections, on what basis are the Libs still regarded as the opposition and enjoying the perks that go with it?

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

I thank the member for Clark for his question. Indeed, we have noticed the changes that have occurred in this chamber. What has been going on over recent weeks while we have been rolling out the cost-of-living measures, doing deals with states and territories to improve hospital funding and going to South Australia for the first of the new housing agreements helping 17,000 new homes to be built—7,000 of which are reserved for first homebuyers—is that those opposite have been solely focused on themselves. I used to get admonished sometimes by the Speaker for using the term 'no-alition'. I meant it as a joke, but those opposite regard it as a mission statement as they go through. They're fighting each other with the same sort of energy that they used to reserve for fighting our cost-of-living measures as they go through.

We will continue to focus on government. With regard to the issues that he raises, I'll wait and see what happens. I have said I'll have respectful discussions, including respectful discussions with the Leader of the Opposition, because I think that's appropriate. I am very much a traditionalist when it comes to—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Okay, you won't come to the meeting, and don't bring him! When it comes to the traditions of this chamber, over a long period of time—

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

The member for Gippsland is warned.

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

Perhaps the leader of the Nats shouldn't bring the member for Gippsland either. The fact is that there are representations being made to me about a range of issues. I will treat those representations respectfully because I think it's important that this parliament is able to function in an appropriate way.