Abbott questions reporter over 'unjustified corruption smear'

Updated

Prime Minister Tony Abbott takes objection to a question from a reporter alleging corruption within the NSW Government, and calls for "decent standard from the media".

The PM was answering reporters' questions in the wake of Barry O'Farrell's decision to resign as New South Wales Premier over evidence he gave to ICAC about the gift of a $3,000 bottle of wine.

Mr Abbott had called the press conference to announce a $3.5 billion roads package for Western Sydney on the back of yesterday's announcement about the Badgery Creek airport.

Transcript:

Nicola Berkovic (The Australian): "Do you trust this government - the state government - that is proving to be corrupt, to deliver your major infrastructure?"

Tony Abbott: "That, if I may say so, is an entirely unjustified smear. Let me not mince my words, madam, an entirely unjustified smear. And frankly, I think you should withdraw that and apologise, because there is no evidence whatsoever for that. Can you please tell me what your evidence for that is?"

Reporter: "Prime Minister would you remember..."

Tony Abbott: "No, please - I've asked what the evidence for that statement was, and none has been forthcoming."

Nicola Berkovic (The Australian): "I think that voters will have questions to ask about who a Premier who specifically said yesterday that if he was delivered a bottle of that nature he would remember it. Today a thank you note is uncovered and he resigns. I think voters would be quite sceptical about the way this has unfolded."

Tony Abbott: "Okay, well without wanting to get into an argument with the media, what you have just said is very different from the accusation - the statement that you earlier made. And we need to have decent standards in this country. We need to have decent standards from the media, if I may say so, as well as decent standards from politicians."