Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

I do not know where the honourable member for Ryan got the impression that we on this side of the House were not supporters of the Export Market Development Grants Scheme. It was a Labor scheme. I am absolutely delighted that the member for Ryan and those members opposite are such strong supporters of a Labor scheme. This is one scheme that has really stood the test of time. That proves it is a good scheme and good policy. Listening to the economic analysis of the honourable member for Ryan today and the criticisms that he levelled against the opposition in this area of economic policy reminded me of former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating’s statement. When the member for Ryan lays into the opposition with criticisms of our export performance—which was far superior to yours—it is like getting mauled by a dead sheep. I am quite happy to match Labor’s performance in the export field and our predictions about what we want to do with those of government members any day.

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