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

Mr Speaker, on indulgence: today, of course, has been a good day for the Australian economy, but tonight will be a good night for football and the State of Origin. It will be a particularly good night if the forces of righteousness, Queensland, happen to win. So I am sure all reasonable members would join with me in saying ‘Go the Maroons!’ Swanny and I are backing Queensland and people like Burky, Albo, Robert, Joel, Peter, Chris and Tanya are simply mistaken. But this will be a good night. I say to those opposite: we are backing Queensland—a great team. I notice that amongst those opposite the Leader of the Opposition is wearing a blue tie. I am sure he is backing his own side. Good on him. I notice the member for North Sydney is backing Ireland. Are you backing Ireland, Joe? It is going to be a good night—go the Maroons, but may the best team win.

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

Mr Speaker, on indulgence: as Leader of the House I dissociate myself from that part of the Prime Minister’s comments with regard to who should win tonight. Go the Blues!

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

Before giving the call to the member for Parkes, may I say: if only the green tie that the member for North Sydney wears applied to this referee as well!