Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

The rest of the world has imposed a temporary deficit on this country, and it has been left to this government to decide the course that we will chart ahead. And we have decided, in line with recommendations from international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund, to fill the gap created by this very sharp contraction in private demand and to do that in a couple of ways, which I explained earlier. Of course, that means the deficit is a little higher as a consequence of the decision to put this package forward, which we have taken in the national interest to support jobs. What we have done is the responsible thing. What is coming from those opposite is utterly irresponsible.

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