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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Last night there were reports that the Prime Minister was planning to scrap his unfair GP tax for now. This morning, Senator Abetz said the unfair GP tax 'remains our policy'; then the Minister for Health said that different options were being considered to replace the tax. Given that the government's own ministers cannot get their lines right, is this not just the latest example of an incompetent government in utter and complete chaos?

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

I call the Prime Minister—and there will be silence for the answer.

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

This from a Leader of the Opposition who backstabbed two prime ministers. Really and truly—this from a Leader of the Opposition who showed such loyalty that he knifed two leaders of his own party.

Ms Owens interjecting—

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

The member for Parramatta is warned!

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

This is a government that thinks of Medicare GP copayments but there is a better way of operating a health system—

Ms Hall interjecting—

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

The member for Shortland is warned!

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

The change should hardly hurt at all. As economists have shown, the ideal model involves a small copayment, not enough to put a dent in your weekly budget but enough to make you think twice before you call the doc.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

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

As is the member for Hotham warned!

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

The idea is hardly radical. It is a very good position, and it is the position of Labor's shadow Assistant Treasurer.

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

There are to be no props. The member for Fraser will put it down and hand it to the attendant.

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

Our position when it comes to the Medicare copayment is exactly the same as Bob Hawke's position and it is exactly the same as the shadow Assistant Treasurer's position and it is the position that we are doing our best to negotiate with the Senate crossbench now.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, on a point of order: the shadow Assistant Treasurer is not in his correct seat. He is waving around props. You asked him to put it away; he continued to wave it around in defiance of what you had indicated to him. The opposition is an absolute rabble today—a cacophony of noise. I ask that you give a general warning, and that the shadow Assistant Treasurer be dealt with.

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

I am aware of the position of frontbenchers moving on the frontbench, and in fairness to the member I did ask him to hand the prop to the attendant and he did attempt to, but the attendant walked past him. To be perfectly honest, I could not see the prop in the first instance because it was being blocked by the splendid head of the Leader of the Opposition.