Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a pleasure to still be here. My question is to the Treasurer, and I refer to today's editorial in The Australian, which says that the Treasurer has been invisible and argues that if he is not hungry enough he should hand over to Malcolm Turnbull. Is the Treasurer hungry enough?

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

I rise on a point of order. Ministers need to be asked questions within their area of responsibility. The Treasurer is happy to answer the question, but question time should not be an opportunity—

Honourable members interjecting—

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

I heard the point of order being made by the Leader of the House, but the Treasurer has indicated he is perfectly willing to answer the question.

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

I thank the honourable member for the question. Yes, I am hungry enough—to be able to want to fix Australia. I am hungry enough, with all of my colleagues, to set about the path of fixing the mess that Labor left. I am hungry enough to be able to work night and day, with all of my colleagues, to strengthen the nation, to build a stronger budget, to create jobs and to create prosperity.

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin is warned!

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

There is no-one that I have forgotten of the other side, because I have a little library. I have a little newsletter here called Nick Champion MP: Standing up for the North: Budget Newsletter 2012. Hey, Swannie! Sit up, Swannie! Do you remember 2012?

Honourable members interjecting—

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

I have no intention of listening to any of those points of order. I will simply say to the minister that he will refer to members by their correct titles.

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

Yesterday, it was just the member for Shortland. Now, he needs three defenders. By the end of the week everyone will be standing up to defend his legacy except him because I was looking at this newsletter from the honourable member, Nick Champion.

Mr Champion interjecting and holding up a sheet of paper—

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

The member for Wakefield has asked his question. He can put his prop down.

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

I am reading from the newsletter.

Mr Champion interjecting—

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

Yesterday, with a sense of humour, one on your side of the House asked me whether or not he should raise a point of order to ask why the member for Wakefield was still here. Now, I think, you are answering that question yourself. You have asked your question and will remain silent while we hear the answer.

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

It is arguable that the member for Wakefield has never been here because he sent a newsletter out to his electorate, to 100,000 of his constituents, and he said the following: 'The government's strong economic management has brought the budget back to surplus.' He was never here! He was here for the speech. He was here for the commitment at this dispatch box from the member for Lilley that they were going to deliver four surpluses in a row. But Labor never delivers, and it is a reflection on Labor that they make these sorts of commitments. It is not just a promise. He says Labor brought the budget back to surplus as if it happened yesterday.

Mr Butler interjecting—

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

The member for Port Adelaide is warned!

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

Labor never brought the budget back to surplus. Labor never actually was responsible when it held the Treasury benches. I will say this to the member for Wakefield: this side of the parliament is absolutely determined to do what is right for Australia. We will not rest until we see a stronger economy.

Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table the editorial from The Australian for today.

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

You know perfectly well that it is a public document and, therefore, not eligible for tabling.