Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Revenue) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent:

(1)

the Treasurer coming in to the House to explain why he is prepared to extend a tax break to James Hardie, but not to the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund;

(2)

the Treasurer explaining to the House why he will not ensure that payments by James Hardie to the fund will remain tax exempt in the hands of the fund, removing a tax liability to the fund of $630m which will undermine the whole arrangement, and why he will not ensure that the $160m tax liability on the earnings of the fund can be eliminated to guarantee that the victims and their dependants are properly provided for; and

(3)

the Member for Hunter moving that item 8 on today’s Notice Paper be brought on for debate forthwith to allow the Opposition to move its amendments to ensure that the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund is tax exempt.

The government is robbing victims to pay James Hardie. The Treasurer will give James Hardie a tax break but he will not give the victims a tax break—

Chris Pearce (Aston, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Graham Edwards (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion. This is a disgraceful grab of power for the rich mates at the expense of the victims.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Cowan will resume his seat. The member for Chisholm is seconding the motion, I believe.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is an absolute disgrace. Why are victims funding a tax cut for James Hardie?

Chris Pearce (Aston, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member be no longer heard.

Question put.