STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr TEHAN (Wannon—Manager of Opposition Business) (13:57): There's something about the Prime Minister, the Hunter Valley and the truth. Do you remember when he spoke to the Mining and Energy Union in the Hunter Valley and he slipped off the stage—maybe he slipped off the stage, maybe he fell off the stage. But, remember, he didn't trip.

No, he denied point blank that he tripped. And there he was today, at Tomago. He got a very simple question put to him: 'Did you disrespect the Japanese prime minister?' And what happens this time?

Chris Minns pulls the curtain on it. There is something about the truth and this Prime Minister. Government members interjecting— Mr TEHAN: They can interject all they like.

You know what the problem is: when he doesn't tell the truth, Australians pay for it. The Australian average worker is $1,500 poorer because this Prime Minister can't tell the truth. That's $5,500 since he came to office.

Learn to tell the truth, Prime Minister. The SPEAKER: Member for Leichhardt, don't rise from your seat until you're called. The member for Leichhardt has the call.