Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Prime Minister has taken tax reform off the table, will the Prime Minister rule out calling an election before delivering the budget?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As my friends behind me said, 'Nice tie, silly question'—that is the best comment one can make to the shadow minister. I can see the honourable member has now retreated from his ill-conceived efforts to undermine the property market and is now moving onto other matters.

As far as the government are concerned today, we are focused on the big issue of the day: the defence of Australia; the defence white paper. That underpins all of our economic plans—every single element of our future prosperity. Yes, it depends on innovation. It depends on competition. It depends on greater participation. It depends on kids learning STEM subjects at school and coding. It depends on greater productivity. It depends on the reforms that we have been introducing—

Ms Owens interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Parramatta is warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

responding to the Harper review. It will depend on important reforms to this place, including the reforms to the Senate voting system, which Labor used to support but now apparently opposes. All of these reforms are vitally important.

But underpinning all of that is security and stability in our region. That is the absolute, necessary element for our future prosperity. And that is why our investment in the defence plan, set out in the defence white paper, underpins the security of Australia and—

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has concluded his answer.

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

It's a serious question.

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

It was a stupid question.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House and the member for Grayndler are delaying question time.