John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I certainly do remember the policy debate inside the government in 2003. Amongst other things, it has led to policies which have contributed to a turnaround in Australia’s fertility rate. I would have thought that, if we are concerned about the long-term future of this country, turning around our fertility rate is fairly important. That policy debate led, amongst other things, to the introduction of the baby bonus. It also led to the introduction—and the member for Lilley will remember this—of the $600 a year supplement, the supplement that was not real. I can tell the member for Lilley—through you, Mr Speaker, as always—that it was very real indeed. This government’s policies in relation to the balance of work and family have been remarkably successful. The member for Jagajaga talks about the respective sectors dealing with children. I do remind her, not in an exercise in the blame game but rather—

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