By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths
Updated February 08, 2012 00:43:42
Video: Finance on agenda as Parliament convenes (7pm TV News NSW)
Related Story: Abbott challenges Gillard to 'make my day'
The Prime Minister has shot back at Tony Abbott's challenge to "make my day" in a stoush over the economy, urging him to "bring it on".
In an address to the Coalition party room on Tuesday, the Opposition Leader channelled Clint Eastwood's character Dirty Harry, daring Julia Gillard to "make my day" by focusing on the economy in the year ahead.
The Government has sought to frame the political debate around the economy with a focus on tax cuts and increases to welfare payments associated with the carbon pricing scheme and the mining tax.
And the economy dominated debate on the first sitting day of Parliament for 2012, with both sides trading blows over their record of economic management.
Ms Gillard says Mr Abbott is focused only on misleading claims and negativity.
We should look to the Leader of the Opposition's multiple statements on his commitment to an emissions trading scheme, a tax at various stages, there's so many positions that he'd make the kama sutra redundant.
Kevin Rudd
"On the other side of politics we understand that in this debate they're for standing still, they're for the privileged interests of the few rather than the many working families who need to benefit from our resources boom," she said.
"Mr Speaker, this is the debate of 2012 and I'm very happy to say to the Leader of the Opposition - bring it on."
Mr Abbott wants to highlight the costs associated with the carbon scheme.
"Every time they say economic management, we say carbon tax," he instructed his party room.
Opposition questions followed that trend, with the deputy leader Julie Bishop asking the Foreign Minister why Canadian politicians had likened carbon trading to a "giant pyramid-marketing scheme".
Kevin Rudd accused the Opposition of being "about burying Australia in the past" and Mr Abbott of making contradictory statements about whether he supported a carbon price or not.
"We should look to the Leader of the Opposition's multiple statements on his commitment to an emissions trading scheme, a tax at various stages; there's so many positions that he'd make the kama sutra redundant," he told a rowdy chamber.
Rules of engagement
Before the first question of the session, new Speaker Peter Slipper spelled out his plans for using his casting vote and maintaining order in the chamber.
Mr Slipper, wearing a black robe but not a wig and lace accessories as had been predicted in newspaper reports, resigned from the Liberal National Party to take up the Speaker's role late last year, replacing Labor MP Harry Jenkins.
He says he has already had some support from the two major parties and independents for shortening the time limits in question time and giving extra chances for follow-up questions.
While Mr Slipper's defection has given the Labor Government an extra vote in the House, he made it clear he would not use his casting vote to benefit either side of politics.
"It is my intention to follow the principles set out in House of Representatives practice, that is that the Speaker should always vote to allow further discussion," he said.
"Where no further discussion is possible, decisions should not be taken except by a majority and the casting vote on an amendment should leave a Bill in its existing form."
He also told MPs he would not necessarily warn them before ordering them out of the House.
"I look forward to working with all members to do my best to ensure that the House fulfils what we all know are the reasonable expectations of the people of Australia," he said.
Ms Gillard brought Question Time to an end just after 3:30pm in accordance with the rules, but also after only eight questions and little more than 30 minutes.
In the resulting outcry Liberal frontbencher Joe Hockey had the dubious honour of being the first MP this year to be thrown out for an hour.
Cowen tributes
The first hour of Question Time was taken up by several MPs rising to pay tribute to former governor-general Sir Zelman Cowen, who died in December.
In a touching speech, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said no governor-general served with more distinction than Sir Zelman.
"Sir Zelman came to office when the role of governor-general and the fabric of our political system had been placed under enormous duress," she told Parliament.
"He rightly identified the need for a touch of healing and through his wisdom and dignity delivered it."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said Sir Zelman was a "seeker of truth".
"He was truly great and he was truly good and our country is deeply in his debt," he said.
Parliament also congratulated the Queen on her diamond jubilee, while tributes were also paid to AAP journalist Peter Veness who lost a battle with cancer last month.
First posted February 07, 2012 15:38:40
Gillard returns fire to Abbott's Dirty Harry jibe - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
