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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Did the Prime Minister have any advance notice of the contents of his deputy's letter of 17 November?

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

The Deputy Prime Minister understands the Basin Plan very well, as do I—as, indeed, does the member for Watson—and he understands that the government is committed to fulfilling it and he understands the provisions of the basin plan and the need for jurisdictions to work together to ensure it is delivered. And the commitment of our government to the basin plan is absolute. But it is a plan which presents significant challenges, which the member for Watson understood back in 2012 when he had the northern basin aspects of the plan reviewed to look at precisely these issues of ensuring that there is neutral or improved socioeconomic outcomes.

And, on that note, Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.