How cynical was that? Shorten asked

Bill Shorten and Labor are under fire for partially quoting Malcolm Turnbull and questioning his credibility.

Bill Shorten is refusing to concede Labor has cynically used out-of-context remarks by Malcolm Turnbull to question the prime minister's credibility.

The opposition leader claimed Mr Turnbull had been caught out when he said: "What political parties say they will support and oppose at one time is not necessarily what they will do".

But Mr Shorten overlooked a related passage, that linked it to Labor's opposition to coalition budget measures including the school kids' bonus - a position it junked during the campaign.

How cynical was that, he was asked by ABC Radio National's Fran Kelly on Wednesday.

"He said parties. He wasn't saying that is just about the Labor Party," Mr Shorten replied.

The fact Mr Turnbull was talking about his political philosophy that political parties can change their mind and don't have to keep their word in the lead-up to an election was what bred cynicism, he said.

Labor rushed out broadcast ads, partially quoting the prime minister, after Mr Shorten made the claim during an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday.


Share

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world