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

My question is to the Prime Minister. It is reported today that the government is considering increasing the tobacco excise. Just two weeks ago, the former Prime Minister described this plan as 'a workers' tax that would slug smokers'. Does the Prime Minister agree with the man he replaced or will the government increase the tobacco excise?

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

Members on my right will cease interjecting. The member for Gorton and the member for McMahon are warned.

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

I have to remind the Leader of the Opposition that increasing tax on tobacco is not an original idea. In fact, I proposed it in my budget reply speech in 2009. It is hardly original. One of the aspects of tobacco taxes, of course, is that everybody agrees that it is the tax that people should avoid by not smoking. Indeed, the reduction in the level of smoking is probably the single biggest public health success in terms of changing behaviour. But, having said that—

Ms King interjecting—

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

The member for Ballarat will cease interjecting.

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

we are now in the annual fever which builds up and up in budget speculation. We will get lots of questions of this kind, essentially designed to find out what is in the budget. All I can say to the honourable member opposite is that he will just have to wait until the budget and then he will discover what tax measures are contained within it.