Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister stand by his announcement that:

… when we reach the 70 per cent and 80 per cent thresholds the findings are clear that we can move forward with our reopening plans regardless of case numbers …

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed I do, and that's the advice that I have. That advice, confirmed just over the weekend, as we continue to work with the Doherty Institute, is advice that was provided by the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to the members of the task force that was set up earlier this year. That task force I asked to be set up, led by Secretary Gaetjens together with all of the department secretaries and directors-general of Premiers' departments around the country, to actually work together, drawing on the Doherty advice as well as the advice that came through from all the treasuries, both at state and territory level, that went into formulating the very plan that has been agreed to by states and territories and the Commonwealth.

As we're advised, the starting point does not influence the overall conclusion of the model is what we learned on the weekend, and the overall conclusions of the model will remain valid. Now, sensitivity analysis has been done on these issues for many, many months, and we'll continue to do that. But it's a very simple question. And I'd be interested to know, when those opposite have the opportunity to make remarks on these matters in other places: if we're not to open up at 70 per cent and 80 per cent, then when? When is that going to happen? At what point? At what point are we going to continue to have to ensure that Australians suffer under the conditions that have been necessary—I don't doubt that they've been necessary, not at all; but there comes a time when you have to step out. And the national plan sets it out at 70 per cent and at 80 per cent, and we must now prepare for those times. And, of course, at those times, case numbers will be higher—of course they will, as we're seeing all around the world. But those who think—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Members on my left!

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

that Australians must remain locked down forever are not in sync with where the Australian people are at.

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

The Leader of the Opposition.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, can I ask if the Prime Minister can table the advice that was received on the weekend that he was quoting from?

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

Was the Prime Minister quoting from a confidential document?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was.

Opposition members interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

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

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. As members will know, the practice is I ask the question and get the answer, and we now don't have a debate about it.