Mr RUDD (2:04 PM) —My question is to the Treasurer. Does the Treasurer recall being asked yesterday whether he had said the following: ‘John Howard can’t win the election, but I can’? Does the Treasurer recall his answer, which was, ‘No’? Does the Treasurer stand by that answer in parliament today?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop —Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. I draw your attention to standing order 98, which lays out the types of issues that may be addressed in questions. This is not one of them, and I would ask you to direct the member that way.

The SPEAKER —The member for Mackellar would be well aware, if she were listening to the question, that it was directly related to an answer that the Treasurer had given in this chamber, so it is in order.

Mr COSTELLO (Treasurer) —Lest there be any doubt, I would like the Leader of the Opposition to listen very carefully: John Howard can win this election and John Howard will win this election. John Howard will win this election because the people of Australia do not deserve to have somebody who does not have a policy position, who has no experience and who would be a patsy for the trade union movement in the prime ministership.