Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and I thank the member for Sturt in particular for his interjection. The wheat for weapons corruption scandal did not happen in ancient Mesopotamia. It happened in modern Iraq and it only happened a few years ago. But, then again, not one for details is the member for Sturt, as reflected in his engagement yesterday with the Deputy Prime Minister on that minor matter of schools. But we will just let that rest.

I am surprised indeed by the member for Casey’s question, given his role as the deputy numbers man for the member for Higgins. To launch a vicarious attack through me on the member for Higgins, the former Treasurer, for having administered selfsame payment to the same category of individuals, I find remarkable indeed. My response to the honourable member’s question is: reflect carefully on the arrangements which pertained to and were implemented under the previous government.

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