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

My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to the government's broken promises on not doing deals with minor parties. Will the Treasurer, right here, right now, rule out creating a government owned 'Australia Fund'—or a 'Palmer Piggy Bank'—as a result of the government's dirty, dirty deal with the leader of the Palmer United Party?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

There will be silence on my left, particularly the Manager of Opposition Business.

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

We are prepared to negotiate to get our agenda through with anyone in the Senate, including any minor party, including the Labor Party.

Ms Owens interjecting—

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

The member for Parramatta will desist!

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

We are happy to deal with all the minor parties, including the Labor Party, but the minor parties have different attitudes towards different policies, and we have to negotiate our way through to get the best outcome for the Australian people.

Ms Owens interjecting—

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

The member for Parramatta is warned!

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

In relation to the proposal on an 'Australia Fund', which I understand is a private member's bill put forward by the member for Fairfax, let me say this. The Australian government's position in relation to these matters is very clear: we believe that industry, being in the business of—

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The member for Wakefield will desist—right now!

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

relying on its own enterprise, should not become reliant on taxpayer support, because ultimately industry assistance is revenue from another person. In relation to the creation of a new industry assistance bank, as is reported today, I can say to you that we will let the independent Senate committees do their job, but in principle—

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

The Leader of the Opposition will desist, as will the member for Wakefield—or there is no gold star!

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

But in principle we do not like the idea of such enterprises. But I can say to you one thing. I say to the Labor Party just one thing: remember Ruddbank. Oh, there's the Swannie smile! Oh, Ruddbank!

Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would ask that the Treasurer refer to members by their correct title.

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

I thank the member for Moreton and I would remind the Treasurer to use the correct titles. Has he concluded his answer? The Treasurer still has the call and he will refer to members by their correct titles.

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

Well, the former member for Griffith is not here anymore, so—

An opposition member: The member for Lilley!

I am sorry; the member for Lilley—my old friend the member for Lilley! I tell you what: we all hope there is no upcoming by-election in Lilley, because we want the member for Lilley to stay here for many years to come. We never want you to leave, the member for Lilley. You stay here. You are a constant reminder of the halcyon days of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd government.

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin will desist!

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

And the member for Lilley is a constant reminder of Ruddbank, which was a proposal put forward by the Labor Party to set up a bank—and the first project they identified in Brisbane that would receive support from the Ruddbank went bankrupt within days. It was the coalition that saved Australia from the Ruddbank, and it will be the coalition that honours its principles in relation to these matters.