Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. How many boats has the government bought and how much money has the government set aside to purchase these boats?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that the important thing is: how many boats this government has prevented from coming to Australia. That is the important thing. Illegal arrivals by boat are down by more than 75 per cent on the results achieved under the former government. I understand that members opposite are ashamed and embarrassed of their record. Frankly, if I were them, I would be ashamed and embarrassed of my record. But our record is better than theirs—it is much better than theirs—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I refer to standing order 104(a).

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prime Minister, the Manager of Opposition Business is requiring you to come back to the subject matter and be directly relevant. I ask the Prime Minister to be directly relevant to the question.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The most directly relevant thing that I can say to members opposite is that the boats are stopping. That is the most directly relevant thing that I can say to the opposition. On that note, after 21 questions I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.