Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to this article headlined 'Airlines volunteer to pay carbon tax', which states:

Qantas, Virgin Blue and other domestic airlines will voluntarily pay the carbon tax after lobbying to be included in the scheme.

It continues:

A spokeswoman for Virgin Blue said the carbon pricing scheme would allow the company to source abatement measures at lowest cost.

When will the Prime Minister act in the national interest rather than playing politics with our national airline?

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

Does anyone seriously believe that, at a time like this, Qantas wants to pay $106 million in carbon tax? Here is a company which has just reported a $252 million loss for just a half-year, and this genius opposite thinks they want to keep paying $106 million in carbon tax.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

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

If the member for Grayndler is simply going to read out the piece of paper in his hand instead of having a proper point of order then he will be removed.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To assist the Prime Minister, I seek leave to table it.

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

That is not a point of order. One more time like that!

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

This idea that Qantas somehow loves the carbon tax, even though the carbon tax adds $106 million to its costs, even though the carbon tax is contributing to a $252 million half-yearly loss, is just crackers.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

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

The Leader of the Opposition will desist.

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

It is just crackers, Madam Speaker. Tell them they're dreaming. That's what they're doing: they're dreaming.

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'Crackers'!

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

The member for Isaacs will remove himself under 94(a).

The member for Isaacs then left the chamber.

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

They're dreaming. We are going to give Qantas and Virgin the same level playing field to compete upon and we are going to get rid of the carbon tax on all of them. That will save Qantas $106 million a year. It will save Virgin $48 million a year. It will save Rex $2½ million a year. And they will be very, very grateful. Their jobs will be safer and their companies will be more secure.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the document 'Airlines volunteer to pay carbon tax'.

Leave not granted.