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

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's earlier answer when he said that his government rewards aspiration. Should a 60-year-old aged-care worker from Burnie aspire to be an investment banker from Rose Bay so that, instead of their $10-a-week tax cut from the Prime Minister, they can get the Prime Minister's $7,000-a-year tax cut for investment bankers?

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

The honourable member should remember that the 60-year-old aged-care worker in Burnie is entitled to aspire to get a better job, is entitled to get a promotion, is entitled to be able to earn more money.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

No. Working in aged care is a good job, but you are entitled to seek to earn more.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Everyone is entitled to aspire—

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

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

Every worker, every Australian, is entitled to aspire to earn a better income. Everyone is entitled to aspire to that. It's the Labor Party that seeks to hold them back. The aged-care worker in Burnie may get promoted, may get another job and may earn more money, and they will know that they will not pay any more than 32½c in the dollar for every dollar of extra income they earn. Aspiration, seeking to do better and—

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

Sit down.

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

The honourable member calls out, 'sit down'. That's what he's saying to Australians who want to get ahead. That's what he's saying to every Australian that wants to get ahead. 'Sit down,' he says.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

He says I'm a snob.

Opposition members interjecting—

He does; he says I'm a snob. This is the man who's sucked up and grovelled to Dick Pratt like there was no tomorrow. He took three trips overseas. He drank the champagne. He sucked up to the big end of town. He sold out the workers. I've seen a lot of wealthy people in my days, and I've never seen anybody more sycophantic in the presence of a billionaire than a Labor politician, and none more so than this sycophant, this groveller, this man who abandoned workers while he tucked his knees under the Pratt's table and sucked up to Dick Pratt right up until the time when it was no longer useful for him to do it. No integrity, no consistency, no loyalty.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Members on my left will cease interjecting.

Mr Danby interjecting—

The member for Melbourne Ports will leave under 94(a).

The member for Melbourne Ports then left the chamber .