The SPEAKER ( 14:24 ): The member for Chifley is suspended from the service of the House for a period of 24 hours. The member for Chifley then left the chamber— Mr ABBOTT: I do not pretend that the decisions that this government have made are going to be cost-free for members of the public. I do not pretend that for a second. Obviously, we have changed the indexation system for various social security benefits and, obviously, we are seeking to introduce a co-payment for doctors visits. I absolutely accept that. I accept also that this will impact on the people of Australia. But I simply make the point that there is no cost-free way of dealing with Labor's debt and deficit disaster. I do hope that the member who asked the question was honest with Marie and said to her— Ms Kate Ellis interjecting— Ms Plibersek interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide will desist, as will the member for Sydney. Mr ABBOTT: that the government do not particularly want to do these things, but the government have to do these things in order to deal with the debt and deficit disaster which the Labor Party—the party that the member who asked the question represents—created. The difference between the government and the opposition is that we have a plan to deal with the debt and deficit disaster that Labor created and Labor is in denial about the debt and deficit disaster that it created. Labor used to think that a surplus was important. As soon as they moved into opposition, they thought that a surplus was unimportant. As soon as they moved into opposition, they abandoned even the rhetorical commitment to achieving a surplus. This is the problem with members opposite: they were incompetent in government and they are irresponsible in opposition. They were wreckers in government and now they simply want to wreck government generally. Mr Brendan O'Connor: You could not even put out a fire in your stables! The SPEAKER: Whoever said that last comment will withdraw it. Mr Brendan O'Connor: I withdraw.