Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to you, Madam Speaker. I refer you to the Australian Bureau of Statistics data in relation to the total number of disputes ended and the working days lost.

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

Order! I am a bit confused by the member for North Sydney.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am asking you a question.

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

The member for North Sydney could start the question and then use the example because I am a bit confused. If you would put the question and then the example, I would be more enlightened.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It goes to the information I provide you and the question makes no sense if I do not provide you with the information first. The ABS total number of disputes is now nearly what it was in 2007.

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

The member for North Sydney will resume his seat.

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

Question time is finished. It is an opportunity for those opposite to ask questions of ministers who are responsible for legislation, not to try to get things on the record by asking you a question for which you are clearly not responsible—

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

The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The member for North Sydney has made reference to the ABS. Get to the question please.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have not finished—in relation to working days lost, which is five times higher now than—

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

The member for North Sydney will put the question—

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And I refer you to the statement by the minister for workplace relations when he said in question time that 'industrial action is down under Labor'. Will you order the minister to come back into the House and correct the record on the basis of the ABS statistics that say it is five times higher today than it was—

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

The member for North Sydney will resume his seat. Is leave granted?

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

No, that is a complete abuse of the parliament.

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

The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The member for North Sydney will resume his seat. The member for Hume has the call.