Download Fragment

Thursday, 10 May 2012
Page: 4565

Member for Dobell

Mr PYNE (Sturt—Manager of Opposition Business) (14:32): My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the recent statement by a man she once described as having a bold and articulate vision for the Labor Party, Mark Latham. He said:

The tragedy for progressive politics is that there are scores of Craig Thomsons across the labour movement. He is the cultural norm, not an isolated peccadillo.

What steps has the Prime Minister taken since the matters in relation to misuse of union funds by the member for Dobell were first aired in April to assure herself that no other member of the team has ever received a personal benefit from a trade union or trade union official?

Mr Albanese: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The standing orders and House of Representatives Practice are very clear about casting aspersions upon members of parliament and reflecting on members of parliament. The question that was just raised by the Manager of Opposition Business attempted very clearly to cast an aspersion on every single member of the Labor Party caucus on this side and it should be ruled out of order. It is not in order to come in and just do general sprays like that under parliamentary privilege, particularly when this member will not say what he knows about James Ashby.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. The question was in order. The Prime Minister will answer the question.

Ms GILLARD (Lalor—Prime Minister) (14:34): In answer to the member's question, I will make my own decisions and not take advice from the former leader he refers to. But I would be recommending to the opposition that it takes some advice from one of its former leaders, Prime Minister Howard, who said in respect of budget matters and opposition leader replies: 'A litany of negatives is no substitute for an alternative economic plan.'

Mr Pyne: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I asked a very serious question about what steps the Prime Minister had taken to assure herself that no member of her team was in a similar position—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The Prime Minister will return to the question.

Ms GILLARD: I am dealing with the question in the way in which it was put—to play the politics, not anything serious, as we know from this member. John Howard was right about two things. He was right about the member for Sturt and he was right when he said that an opposition leader fails the test of a budget reply if there is not one positive word, not one positive thought, not one alternative idea—

Honourable members interjecting—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Prime Minister will resume her seat. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. He has had his point of order. The Prime Minister will respond to the question before the chair.

Ms GILLARD: I conclude by saying that that former leader's words were: 'You have got to present an alternative'—and you had better tonight.

Mr PYNE (Sturt—Manager of Opposition Business) (14:36): Madam Deputy Speaker, I ask the supplementary question, since the Prime Minister did not answer that question. What steps has the Prime Minister taken since the matters in relation to the member for Dobell were first raised in April 2009 to satisfy herself that no member of her team has engaged in similar misuse of union funds? (Time expired)

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! It is the same question and I am ruling it out of order.