Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.

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

The minister may proceed.

Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the course of making a statement about productivity and the importance of AWAs in the mining industry, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition claimed that she had never called Sir Rod Eddington ‘another voice’. She claimed that in parliament. I want to table the Australian of Friday, 4 May 2007—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. This is an abuse; this is not adding to an answer.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Treasurer has sought indulgence to add to an answer and he has the call. I call the Treasurer.

Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

which quotes Ms Gillard saying the following:

I am happy to talk to Rod about ... but that would just be another voice in the voices we’ve got in the business community.

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

The Treasurer will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on another point of order.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He is responding to an interjection, Mr Speaker, and it is entirely out of order.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Treasurer has sought to add to an answer. He is in order. I call the Treasurer.

Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a direct quote of Ms Gillard referring to Sir Rod Eddington as ‘another voice’ from the front page of the Australian, 4 May 2007, and I table it.