Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Finance, Competition Policy and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, is the surplus for spending or saving?

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

The purpose of a surplus is to ensure that we on this side of the House, through a responsible budget, are doing our part through fiscal policy to bring about downward pressure on inflation and downward pressure on interest rates. That might be a difficult concept for those opposite. It is a very clear-cut concept for those on this side of the House.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Dickson has asked the question.

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

Secondly, when you saw the explosion in public demand which occurred on the back of five per cent real expenditure growth through the government sector by those opposite in the previous year, you began to see the array of challenges faced by the Reserve Bank in bringing interest rates down. What you had was public demand effectively roaring along at great guns and no investment in terms of supply-side constraints in the economy as well. What does that lead to? An interest rate challenge—

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Finance, Competition Policy and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. Has the Prime Minister concluded?

Mr Dutton interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would ask the member for Dickson to withdraw that remark.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did not hear the actual comment, but there was a comment that got a reaction; therefore, I would ask the honourable member for Dickson to withdraw the remark.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Finance, Competition Policy and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are sick of this spin and rubbish. If it helps the House, I withdraw.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am asking the member to withdraw a remark which has caused offence. The member for Dickson is obliged to do so without additions.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Finance, Competition Policy and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you.