2   QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Document

Mr Butler (Minister for Mental Health and Ageing) presented the following document:

List of research studies into tobacco packaging.

Questions without notice continuing—

Suspension of standing and sessional orders moved

Mr Abbott (Leader of the Opposition) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Warringah moving immediately—That this House calls on the Treasurer to explain to the Parliament why:

(1)    he falsely stated on ABC Radio on 20 May 2011 in relation to the removal of a concessional rate of iron ore royalty by the Western Australian Government that “Mr Barnett did not communicate that he was going to do this to us,.. But what Mr Barnett has done here is just very strange. He didn’t communicate with us about this move in this budget. He didn’t get our tick. He didn’t discuss it with us”;

(2)    he failed to disclose that in early 2010, Western Australian Treasury officials advised the Commonwealth that WA proposed to remove this concessional royalty rate;

(3)    he failed to disclose that on 10 May 2010 the WA Treasury wrote to the Commonwealth Treasury advising that the WA Government proposed to remove this concessional royalty rate;

(4)    he failed to disclose that on 17 May 2010 the Commonwealth Treasury provided a brief to the Treasurer advising that WA proposed to remove this concessional royalty rate;

(5)    he failed to disclose that on 17 May 2010 he gave a press conference in which he acknowledged that WA was “looking at very substantial increases in the royalties”;

(6)    he failed to disclose that on 17 May 2010 he gave a speech in which he stated “We’re prepared to talk further with state governments who might have been making their own plans to capture a fairer share of resource wealth through lifting royalties”;

(7)    he failed to disclose that the minerals resources rent tax costings prepared by Commonwealth Treasury assumed a state royalty rate of 7.5%, which is the iron ore royalty rate in WA with the concession removed;

(8)    he failed to disclose that in February 2011 he directed the Commonwealth Grants Commission not to modify its methodology in response to WA’s proposals to remove concessional royalty rates;

(9)    he failed to disclose that on 18 May 2011 the Chief of Staff of the WA Premier telephoned the Treasurer’s Chief of Staff to advise that WA would be removing this concessional royalty rate in its Budget on 19 May 2011; and

(10)  after these examples of evidence that he was aware of WA’s proposal to remove this concessional royalty rate, he stated on radio that WA had not communicated its intention to do this.

Closure of Member moved

Mr Albanese (Leader of the House) moved—That the Member be no longer heard.

Question—put.

*86

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Jenkins, in the Chair)—

AYES, 69

NOES, 75

* Tellers

Pairs

Dr Emerson                    Mr Slipper

Ms King                         Mr Entsch

And so it was negatived.

Mr Pyne (Manager of Opposition Business) moved—That Mr Abbott be granted an extension of time.

Question—put.

*87

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Jenkins, in the Chair)—

AYES, 74

NOES, 70

* Tellers

Pairs

Dr Emerson                    Mr Slipper

Ms King                         Mr Entsch

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Debate continued.

Mr Hockey (seconder) addressing the House—

The time allowed by standing order 1 for debate on the motion for the suspension of standing orders having expired and a question not having been proposed to the House, the motion lapsed.

Questions without notice concluded.