Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek the call for only a very short time—probably about a minute—to make three important points. First of all, this debate gives me an opportunity to acknowledge the Treasurer, while he is in the chamber, for the very significant recognition he has received today. Others have made that point already. In addition, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of Hunter Valley Grammar School in my electorate. I ask members to make them feel welcome.

Secondly and very importantly, I pick up on something the Leader of the Nationals said in the course of this matter of public importance that did not quite gel in my mind. He said that when they—those on the other side—were in government and the predecessor of the member for Higgins was the Treasurer the unemployment rate in Wide Bay was 3½ per cent but under this government it was now through 12 per cent. I am sure my colleagues will agree something is not quite right with that statement, so in the limited time available to me I did a little bit of research. I thank my staff for their assistance.

In 2006, which is a reasonable year to choose given that he said it was during their time in government, the unemployment rate in Wide Bay was in the high sevens. By June 2010, it was at seven. In July 2011, it was 6.8 per cent. So one wonders why this mob on the other side have increasingly low economic credibility in the broader electorate! Thank goodness, given what we have seen from the Leader of the Nationals today, the Labor Party is in government running the economy and we have the world's best treasurer doing it.

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