Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Has the Prime Minister heard other comments from the Reserve Bank governor, Ian Macfarlane, on ABC radio last night where he said he was ‘disappointed’ with the coalition’s interest rate campaign at the last election which was ‘accepted by some members of the community’? Prime Minister, is this why Mr Macfarlane said the coalition’s interest rate campaign was ‘incorrect’ and ‘not plausible’?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the first part of the question is: yes, I have heard those comments. They were part of an answer given to Maxine McKew. The question reads as follows:

Did you think their line was defensible, within the context of an election?

This is what he said:

Ah, well it was logically defensible, yes. It was a logically defensible position.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Go on; quote the rest!

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

Order! The member for Lilley has asked his question.

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Then he goes on to say that it was disappointing. I simply say to the member for Lilley that if he wants to quote the Reserve Bank governor on this issue, quote him in full and do not be selective.

Alexander Downer (Mayo, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Downer interjecting

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

Order! The Minister for Foreign Affairs is warned!