QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Dr CHALMERS (Rankin—Treasurer) (14:53): I was wondering where he got to, Mr Speaker! I'm pleased that, after 170-odd questions, at five to three on the last day of the sitting week, the shadow Treasurer pops up to ask this question. The Treasury modelling and our policy do not assume that an economy-wide carbon price is in place.
Treasury's report makes that clear because that is not the government's policy. So, the question that he has asked is not based on reality. I'll tell you what the Treasury officials who provided the Treasury modelling about the government's climate targets told the government, and that is that the orderly transition that this government represents is the best way to grow the economy and create opportunities in our economy.
Mr Ted O'Brien interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! No. The deputy leader has asked his question.
Dr CHALMERS: They also made it clear, comparing the orderly scenario with the disorderly scenario represented by those opposite, that the absolute worst thing that we could do as a country and as an economy would be to go down the path that the coalition of cookers wants Australia to go down, which is a disorderly transition, which would cost jobs and cost investment.
The SPEAKER: The member for Wannon on a point of order? Mr Tehan: It's on relevance. The Treasurer has got completely off track, and he should go back to the carbon tax that you're seeking to impose on— The SPEAKER: When the Treasurer is reading out the Treasury advice from Treasury officials that he was asked about, on the question that he was asked, I think everyone here can agree that is being directly relevant.
If he were reading out other advice or alternative policies, that wouldn't be directly relevant. But to take a point of order, when I was listening carefully to the Treasurer about the advice that he was asked about and explaining what the Treasury was doing, that's just an abuse of the standing orders. Mr Tehan interjecting— The SPEAKER: You're not going to debate me.
It's not a debate. You're not going to defy me. I'm trying to explain to the House that, when a minister is asked a question—it's just a pattern I want to cease.
If he were off topic, I would bring him back to order. You mightn't have liked the answer, Member for Wannon, but he is being directly relevant. So I'm just asking all members: don't abuse the standing orders.
Has the Treasurer completed his answer? We're going to move on. Mr Ted O'Brien interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Fairfax!
Member for Fairfax! No. The member for Calwell will resume his seat.
The House is going to become immediately silent, because the member for Fairfax has just been completely disruptive. He's going to leave the chamber under 94(a). The member for Fairfax then left the chamber.
Dr Chalmers interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer is warned. Mr Buchholz: I'd march him.
The SPEAKER: The member for Wright! I know who's in the gallery—and you'll be in trouble as well—your lovely mum.