Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I am doing that, Mr Deputy Speaker, because I am addressing why this motion is in order. I have addressed why it is consistent with motions that were moved by those opposite when they sat over here and I have addressed why it is particularly important at this time of global financial crisis that this occur. The Leader of the Opposition does face a test today: to back the stability of the economy and the stability of our regulators.

There are consequences for ordinary working people, in every electorate that we represent, of a failure to have confidence in our regulators. Those on this side of the House have confidence in our economic regulators. In the 12 years that we sat in opposition, there were no attacks from our leaders on the secretaries of the Treasury, there were no attacks on governors of the Reserve Bank because we understood that at ordinary times that would be unwise and irresponsible. But at a time of global financial crisis it is simply reckless and dangerous. That is why the Leader of the Opposition should take the opportunity provided by this motion to come into this House and express confidence in the Reserve Bank of Australia and express confidence in the Secretary of the Treasury.

See this speech in context