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

My question is to the Prime Minister. The 2022 parliamentary calendar of the Morrison-Joyce government has in practice only 10 sitting days for the House and five for the Senate before August. Doesn't this show the Prime Minister has no intention of establishing a federal anti-corruption commission before the election?

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

The Leader of the Opposition knows full well that we have 349 pages of legislation and $150 million committed to this measure. All it would take is for the Labor Party to support it, which they don't. They have a two-page policy. We have a 349-page set of legislation. If they wished to support it, we would welcome that.

But I'm asked also about the parliamentary calendar, which I know is a topic that the Leader of the Opposition has been taking a keen interest in. The Leader of the Opposition may not be aware that, in order to prepare a budget next year, the normal practice is to ensure there are a set number of weeks for the preparation of that budget before the budget is delivered. As the Leader of the Opposition may not be aware, in order to prepare a budget next year the normal practice is to ensure there are a set number of weeks before the preparation of that budget and before the budget is delivered. I have personally delivered three budgets as Treasurer and three budgets as Prime Minister, and I have served seven years on the Expenditure Review Committee. I can understand why the Leader of the Opposition would be unfamiliar with the time taken to prepare a budget, because he's never delivered one. There are people who have been serving refreshments in the Expenditure Review Committee longer than this person, the Leader of the Opposition, spent in that chamber.

Our government knows how important the economic recovery for this country is as we emerge from the pandemic. We have the economic management experience to ensure that we secure that recovery. Last year's budget set out once again the further iteration of that economic recovery plan—the economic recovery plan that has already seen 217,000 Australians currently in trade apprenticeships and training right now, which is the highest level on record since 1963.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order?

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

Mr Speaker, the point of order is on relevance. The question was about an anticorruption commission and whether the government has any intention of introducing and dealing with that legislation prior to the next election.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question was posed also in relation to the 2022 parliamentary calendar. The Prime Minister is on point in relation to the calendar. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

That economic recovery, as we go into next year and we do the preparations for next years budget, will continue to support measures that keep Australians in work. Under our government, there are a million Australians who are working in manufacturing today. I was in Adelaide on Friday when I met former Holden workers now working in manufacturing again, in the medical industry.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order?

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

Mr Speaker, you ruled before that the Prime Minister would be in order if he was talking about the parliamentary calendar or the anticorruption commission. I don't see how this is either, or even close to either.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're point of order is in relation to relevance—

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

Well, it's in relation to your previous ruling. I wouldn't be allowed to make one on relevance.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You've already made the point on relevance. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The Prime Minister will be relevant to the question.

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

I can understand why the member for Watson also does not understand why it is relevant that you need to set a calendar which enables you to bring down a budget that is absolutely critical to the economic recovery of this country. Those opposite don't understand budgets. They don't understand economic management, and the Australian people do not trust them on economic management. That's why, when they look at these things, all they see the parliament for is an opportunity to come in here and play their little parliamentary games.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Eden-Monaro is warned.

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

In government, the job is to put together a budget—

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order?

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

I am just letting you know that the time expired some time ago.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the member for Ryan, the interjections from both sides of the House are far too high. One member has received a warning. I will start acting under 94(a).