Bruce Scott (Maranoa, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is with great pleasure that I rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2008-2009 and Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2008-2009. This is the second so-called stimulus package we have seen from a government which has no idea where it is going and no idea about how to manage the economy in difficult financial circumstances. The opposition side of the House supported the so-called stimulus package in December. The Treasurer and the Prime Minister commented at the time that that was all the economy would need and that they had taken the appropriate advice and that this stimulus would help the economy, help retail sales and underpin some 75,000 jobs. Since December, what have we seen? Rising unemployment. So I do not see how the $10 billion cash splash announced in December has underpinned jobs.

We should also recall that the government said the budget would go into a ‘temporary deficit’. So all was going to be well as we went away for Christmas: the $10 billion stimulus package would ensure that Australia would not see a recession. We took the Treasurer and the Prime Minister at their word that it would be good for the economy. We know that the December retail sales were up, because it was Christmas time and people do spend a little bit more at Christmas time. It is part of the celebration of Christmas. There was $10 billion splashed around the economy. Some of it went to very worthy recipients. But, had there been more investment in real, hard infrastructure, I could have supported some of the comments of the Treasurer that it would help Australia avoid a significant downturn. That $10 billion was gone by Christmas. It was basically gone. We did not see anything left behind. We did not see a new road started.

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