Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

As I have indicated to the parliament already in question time today, we will adhere to our fiscal rules. As I have indicated to the parliament already today, we are determined to return the budget to surplus. As I have indicated to the parliament and the Treasurer has indicated to the parliament both in answer to questions and in the statement he made before question time today, the global economic turbulence we have seen is turbulence we are not immune from but our fundamental economic structures are strong. Consequently, it has made the journey to surplus more challenging, but we are determined to achieve a surplus.

The thing that would press on those on the other side who are interested in the question of surplus most is the $70 billion black hole they have and how they are going to fund it. Of course, in a portfolio like education—and I do know the expenditures in that portfolio well—

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