Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I ask the Treasurer a question without notice. Is the Treasurer aware that the Federal Opposition leader has announced a six-month real money parental leave scheme that will reimburse women for the loss of all net income up to $150,000? Is he aware that the proposed scheme would be funded by a new 1.7 per cent levy on all businesses that earn more than $5 million per annum? What impact would such a scheme have on New South Wales business, industry and employment? Does the New South Wales Government recognise the value of stay-at-home mums to the future of this State? Will the Treasurer raise this issue with the Prime Minister at the Council of Australian Governments meeting and seek a parental leave scheme that provides assistance to all mothers over a period of at least six months?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I was quite surprised by Tony Abbott's policy announcement in relation to parental leave, although I suspect I was not as surprised as members in his party room appear to have been as he went in to explain the proposal to them. We have only sketchy details of the proposal. Last night I noticed comments in the media that it was not clear whether it was based—

The Hon. Michael Gallacher: I would not use the word "sketchy" if I were you. If you look up "sketchy" in the dictionary there is a picture of you.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I understand the embarrassment members opposite feel about Tony Abbott. They are torn. Members of the Right hold up Tony Abbott as the pinup boy. Tony Abbott is criticising Barry O'Farrell for making himself an itsy-bitsy tiny target. At the same time Tony Abbott has announced a new parental leave policy. We would like some clarification on these issues, as we will see in the next couple of days. It is unclear whether the scheme is based on $5 million taxable income for companies or on $5 million tax paid. Indeed, last night I observed some conflict between Tony Abbott and one of his shadow Ministers during the announcement.

But Tony Abbott was absolutely crystal clear that he does not want to be seen to act like Barry O'Farrell. It is in black and white, properly reported, in today's Sydney Morning Herald. Tony Abbott does not want to be a small target like Barry O'Farrell. Why would he say that? Because Tony Abbott is energetic; Barry is not. Tony Abbott gets out there with lots of policies; Barry does not. Tony Abbott is out there working; Barry O'Farrell is not. That is exactly why Barry O'Farrell is being criticised by Tony Abbott and why members opposite are embarrassed when their Federal leader calls a spade a spade. That is exactly what has happened here.

In relation to the question about motherhood, obviously I will support any initiatives that encourage motherhood, which is an important part of our society. In relation to the proposal about parental leave, that is something that we will examine over the next couple of weeks when we see the details. I have ongoing discussions with both the Federal Treasurer and the Prime Minister about such issues as parental leave and many other issues relating to State and Federal plans. The Leader of the Opposition keeps raising the name of Alex Hawke, the lost son of the Hon. David Clarke. I do not think he is a good mate of Peter Phelps, who has just been endorsed by the Opposition for the upper House. Peter Phelps distinguished himself in 2007 when he compared the military service of the Federal member for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly, in Iraq to working in a Nazi concentration camp.

The Hon. Don Harwin: You're a liar!

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: Liar! You're a liar.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The term "liar" is unparliamentary, and any member who uses it to describe another member will be called to order.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The Opposition is consistent. Recently it endorsed another Liberal candidate in The Entrance who had been a senior officer in One Nation. So we start to see a consistent theme in the New South Wales Liberal Party. No wonder Barry O'Farrell wants to keep his head down! His own colleagues embarrass him.