Oppn seeks to embarrass Govt over surplus pledge

Updated February 06, 2013 18:10:00

The Federal Opposition has used Question Time to pressure the Government over its dumped surplus pledge. The Treasurer, Wayne Swan has labelled his opponents 'cranks and crazies.'

Source: PM | Duration: 4min 15sec

Topics: federal-government, canberra-2600, act


TIM PALMER: Bob Hawke was the last Labor prime minister to deliver a budget surplus. And so in federal parliamentary Question Time, Mr Hawke's presence in the chamber was a gift to the Opposition who spent the time seeking to embarrass the Government over its dumped pledge to bring the budget back to black.

The Coalition quizzed the Government over the distribution of pamphlets which declare the budget is back in surplus, on time, as promised.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard demanded the Opposition reveal exactly what it would have done differently, while the Treasurer, Wayne Swan labelled his Liberal Party rivals 'cranks and crazies.'

From Canberra, Samantha Hawley reports.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: It's a pamphlet that no longer rings true, but gives the Federal Opposition plenty of ammunition.

JOE HOCKEY: My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to this taxpayer-funded newsletter, distributed in his electorate, which states, 'we have delivered a surplus on time as promised.'


SAMANTHA HAWLEY: As he asked his questions the Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey had an added bonus, with the former prime minister, Bob Hawke sitting in the chamber.

JOE HOCKEY: The last Labor prime minister to deliver a surplus.

(Cheering in the chamber)

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Wayne Swan's pamphlet delivered to his constituents says 'In these uncertain global times there's no clearer sign of a strong economy than a surplus. We've delivered a surplus on time, as promised.'

And he wasn't the only Labor Member who sent that message to voters.

The Opposition's Tony Smith.

TONY SMITH: I refer the Prime Minister to these taxpayer-funded newsletters from nine of her Labor colleagues, including the Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Families, and Minister for Resources, with the claim that 'Labor delivered a surplus on time as promised'.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: And when the Opposition tried to table the documents, the Leader of the House, Anthony Albanese, had this to say.

ANTHONY ALBANESE: In the words of the leader of the Opposition, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no and no.


SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Opposition ensured the Government's dumped surplus pledge dominated Question Time. The Prime Minister demanded the Opposition outline exactly what it would have done differently.

JULIA GILLARD: And if they don't do that, then let's not hear any of this nonsense ever again.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Treasurer Wayne Swan had this description of his political rivals.

WAYNE SWAN: The cranks and crazies of the Liberal Party in Australia.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Last year Mr Swan used the same term to describe elements of the US Republican party.

But no matter the comeback, the Government's dumping of the promised surplus will haunt it until election day - just as this will.

CRAIG THOMSON: You'd think it's the AFL grand final with all you guys here...

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: This morning the former Labor MP, now Independent, Craig Thomson fronted a Melbourne court on 154 fraud charges, including using union money to pay for prostitutes.

With his wife Zoe by his side, Mr Thomson emerged from the court disappointed a prosecution witness list wasn't ready.

CRAIG THOMSON: We're trying to get on with this, get it on as quickly as we can. It wasn't encouraging that the police still aren't even ready after all this time, but we'll get on with it as quickly as I can to clear my name.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: He'll appear in court again in May, and he's not the only one who's been facing questions.

Two government ministers have spent the day being grilled about time spent at the former New South Wales minister Eddie Obeid's Perisher ski lodge.

Mr Obeid named the Environment Minister, Tony Burke, during an Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing yesterday.

TONY BURKE: It was entirely in a personal capacity and it was long before I was a minister.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: So other than being mentioned at ICAC, do you have any other regrets in accepting an invitation to stay at this ski lodge.

TONY BURKE: Look I stayed at someone's place.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: So no regrets?

TONY BURKE: No, no. The moment it was asked, I answered the question. I've never had a problem with it.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, also stayed at the lodge. He says he's done nothing wrong.

STEPHEN CONROY: Can I say I'm getting very tired of being defamed by being accused of being a skier. I have never skied in my life. I am a snowboarder, and out of all the outrageous things that are said about me in the last 24 hours, that is the most outrageous.

TIM PALMER: The Federal Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy ending Samantha Hawley's report.