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

I was asked about the need for a levy—why we needed to put this levy in place. I am explaining. It is to keep our budget in surplus, to keep our public finances strong and, importantly, to rebuild Queensland because, unlike those opposite, we will not put political interests before the national interests.

I do not doubt that bringing in a levy like this can be unpopular, but I can tell you this: it is the right thing to do by Queensland and it is the right thing to do by Australia. Those opposite are taking the opportunistic path that they took during the last election campaign: putting their political interests before the national interest. All of those members over there from Queensland are acutely embarrassed by the stance of those opposite. They are going to feel the heat from their electorates because putting this levy in place to rebuild Queensland—

See this speech in context