Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question to the Prime Minister follows upon her answer yesterday. Given that the Prime Minister has admitted to knowing in advance that the Australian Workers Union Workplace Reform Association was in fact a union slush fund, why did the Prime Minister draft these objects of association that I have in my hand, claiming that it was for training and workplace safety?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In answer to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's question let me firstly say this: I am not the only person dismayed by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's tactics. I do note Michelle Grattan in today's Agequoting a Liberal saying—

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on the question of relevance. I have asked why the Prime Minister made a false statement in this document, which I do wish to table, and she must answer that.

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume her seat. The Prime Minister has the call.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In answering the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's question I do note that a member of her Liberal team has said to Michelle Grattan:

We've drifted into the more personal politics side of things rather than dealing with the policy and allowing the muck to slide.

Honourable members interjecting—

Never a truer word spoken, by a Liberal dismayed by the way in which the Liberal Party has run out of puff on its smear campaigns and has descended into this muckraking.

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister will refer to the question before the chair.

Honourable members interjecting—

Order! Can I ask the Prime Minister to resume her seat. If individuals are genuinely interested in conducting question time then I should not have to shout.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In answer to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's question, I have dealt with these matters extensively on the public record, and no amount of muck and filth from her, to the dismay of her Liberal colleagues, will change that simple fact.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to tender the memorandum and articles of the Australian Workers Union Workplace Reform Association. I seek to table them.

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted for the documents to be tabled?

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

No, the Deputy Leader can file it in their mud bucket.

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House is warned.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order. Madam Speaker, I ask that you require the Leader of the House to withdraw that slur.

Ms Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Reid has the call.

Ms Julie Bishop interjecting—