Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question again is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the PM’s answer before concerning the use of Kirribilli House. Does the Prime Minister agree that Kirribilli House is owned by the Australian people? Does he also agree that Kirribilli House should not be gifted to any institution like the Liberal Party for fundraising purposes in part or in whole?

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

Order! In calling the Prime Minister, I think the first part of that question was asking for an opinion, but the Prime Minister may choose to answer.

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

I am more than happy to answer it, Mr Speaker. Of course, Kirribilli House is a national asset. It does not belong to me; it did not belong to Bob Hawke; it did not belong to Paul Keating; or, indeed, to any of my predecessors. I repudiate completely the suggestion that it was gifted to the Liberal Party for a fundraiser. That is factually incorrect.