Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

That is news from Mr Rudd, coming from Ms Gillard. As Senator Brandis said, a knife is a knife. But they made a deal that she would not challenge for the leadership and 15 minutes later she was back in his office saying, ‘I am going to challenge.’ So, clothed with all that moral authority and integrity, she addresses the Australian Industry Group last night and says, ‘A deal is a deal.’

And of course, on the mining tax mess that we are facing, Ms Gillard is claiming that a deal is a deal and things should be honoured. Well, the deal that she struck was renounced on 2 July. She said this in a media conference:

Last night we sat down to settle the final agreement, and I can now announce we’ve reached agreement on the basic structure of minerals taxation for the future.

Then, in an answer to a question on notice to the inquiry into fuel and energy, so ably led by a coalition senator, we were provided with a copy of the heads of agreement, part of which said:

All—

A-L-L—

state and territory royalties will be creditable against the resources tax liability …

Now, all of a sudden, having promised that there would be no cap, there is a cap, and yet, hand on heart, last night in a very shrill and—