Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, we have had two years of Abbott government lies, and in regional areas that is actually two years of National Party lies. So let's reflect. Two years ago today, we had the Prime Minister promising Australians under his government there would be 'no cuts to education, no cuts to health, no changes to pension, no change to the GST, no cuts to the ABC or SBS'. Well, let's see what has happened in two years since then. When it comes to education, we have seen them cut $30 billion from schools. They have cut funding from universities and training and they have also tried to enforce $100,000 university degrees. Let's look at health. We have seen them cut $50 billion from hospitals, and they have also put in place a GP tax as well by stealth. Then we had the claim of no change to pensions. Well, they have cut over $2 billion from pensions. Then we also heard them say 'no changes to the GST'. Now we hear the Prime Minister saying there is a very powerful argument for increasing the GST. So those were all lies that he said before the election. Let's have a look at ABC and SBS. They have cut funding to both of those by over half a billion dollars. These cuts are absolutely outrageous, particularly in regional areas when it comes to National Party lies.

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy Speaker, on a point of order, it is unparliamentary to continually accuse members on this side of the House of lying, and I ask her to withdraw.

Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The fact is they have lied, and in regions it's the National Party that continues to tell untruths.

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is a longstanding practice in this House not to accuse members on either side of the chamber of lying, and I ask the member to withdraw.

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note the point of order. I thank the minister and I call the member for Hinkler.