Page 1747 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 1 May 2012
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MR BARR: That is now the stated position of Tony Abbott, as he has said today.
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth!
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, I warn you.
MR BARR: He has said today in the media that he supports the position of the conservative premiers in the four large states. The position they have put to the GST review—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, I have already warned you.
MR BARR: is that the GST should be allocated on a per capita basis. The challenge now for the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow treasurer is for them to stand up in this place and say whether they support that, whether they support the position of their Liberal colleagues in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, and now nationally, that the GST should be allocated on a per capita basis. I know they do not like to hear this, because it completely undermines their position on any economic matters. Mr Abbott has indicated support for the position of the conservative premiers of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
Mr Smyth: On a point of order—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Stop the clock for a moment, please.
Mr Smyth: on relevance. The MPI is about the carbon tax. I do not believe it is about Tony Abbott. The minister might address the motion, which is of course about the carbon tax.
MR BARR: It is not a motion.
Mr Smyth: Well, the MPI then. You have still got to be relevant to the debate.
MR BARR: It is not a debate.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, resume your seat. This is not a motion; this is a discussion. I think that within the bounds of a discussion what Mr Barr is going to talk about is appropriate. Mr Barr.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Those opposite may not want to hear this, but they are going to be hearing a lot about it. They now know what their
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