Mr SWAN (2:12 PM) —My question is directed to the Treasurer. Does the Treasurer believe the current Prime Minister is the best person to lead the Liberal Party into the next election? If so, why didn’t the Treasurer issue a single sentence statement saying so last Friday or Saturday or Sunday or Monday when the Prime Minister’s leadership was being publicly questioned?

The SPEAKER —Order! The member for Lilley would be aware that that question is not within the administrative responsibilities of the Treasurer, but the Treasurer may choose to answer the question.

Mr COSTELLO (Treasurer) —Of course I do, Mr Speaker. I have just done a press conference and I said that, as I did last week and as I did last year. But here is a question: does the member for Lilley think that Kevin Rudd is the best person to lead Labor into the next election? We can answer this question, because when the time came for Mr Kevin Rudd to run for the leadership of the Labor Party, which rooster voted against him? Me thinks the rooster crowed the wrong way!

The SPEAKER —Order! I remind the Treasurer that he should refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his title.

Mr COSTELLO —I was referring to the member for Lilley when I used the word ‘rooster’. It was not the Leader of the Opposition.

The SPEAKER —I again say to the Treasurer that he will refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his title.