Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

In what has been a pretty interesting debate here in Reps today, can I say that that is the most irresponsible point I have heard made by the Leader of the Opposition. The world currently confronts a global financial crisis. The Secretary of the Treasury is integral to this government’s and the preceding government’s response to international economic developments. The Secretary of the Treasury and his team have been working huge hours week in and week out, seven days a week, to ensure that Australia’s response to this crisis—both in terms of the measures taken on bank guarantees and the measure taken in relation to the fiscal stimulus package—were the right ones for the nation.

As Prime Minister, and as leader of the government, I use this occasion to affirm 100 per cent this government’s confidence in the Secretary of the Treasury and I would ask the Leader of the Opposition to get to his feet now and do the same.

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