Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

One thing that the Prime Minister of Australia knows is that he enjoys the support of his Leader of the Government in the Senate, something that a former Labor Prime Minister was not able to enjoy from Senator Wong. Let's just understand that. You ought to look behind you, Senator Wong, and see all the smiling faces. I will also say that, when Mr Shorten sought the leadership of the Australian Labor Party, the vote was 55 to 31. Why is it that 31 members of the ALP caucus were of the view that Mr Shorten was not a fit and proper person to lead the Australian Labor Party in the parliament? We could ask that question.

The reality is that the Liberal Party party room today had a ballot in relation to leadership. Sixty-one to 39 was the result of the ballot. Everybody knows that that was a result. That is a very firm endorsement of the Prime Minister, whilst also—and I say this especially to the Australian people—those 39 votes being a wake-up call for the government to ensure that it brings the Australian people with it on the very difficult task that faces it.

The difficult task that faces us is not served by the Australian Labor Party playing politics as they do. We are dedicated to the service of the nation, making the tough decisions for the future—such as getting rid of the carbon tax, getting rid of the mining tax, protecting our borders and getting free trade agreements. These were all things that we were told we could not do, yet we achieved them within the first part of this term of government. I look forward to serving the Australian people. (Time expired)