Michael Johnson (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has enormous respect for Professor Kenneth Wilshire so he might want to pick up the flow and call Professor Wilshire and see what he has to say. One trillion dollars for a nation of 20 million people—the 13th largest economy in the world—with 0.3 of the world’s population is very significant and I think that the Howard government stands to be commended for its wonderful policies that make a difference in creating prosperity for this country.

I am very proud to say that my electorate of Ryan has 1.8 per cent unemployment. Some 10 years ago that figure stood at some six per cent. When the Howard government came to office there were remarkable changes in the character of our country and the character of our economy to make a difference. One other very significant point that needs to be put forward is that some two million new jobs have been created since 1996. For those who are from the state of Queensland, let me just give you the flavour. That represents 40 Suncorp stadiums full of jobs. The city of Brisbane—

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