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

I was pointing out it was a question the sole purpose of which was to create fear and concern about the Australian economy. That is not appropriate conduct by the shadow minister for finance. It is not appropriate conduct by the opposition leader but it fits in with their relentless negativity—that is for sure.

On budget forecasts, as the member ought to recall from his time in government, the way in which this works is budget forecasts are updated in the Midyear Economic and Fiscal Outlook, they are updated again in the budget and then, moving into the election, they will be updated in the pre-election fiscal outlook. And every step of the way we will engage in properly funded, properly costed policies, whereas the member who asked the question, who has acknowledged he has to cut $70 billion out of services for families, is trying to cover that up. Over here, we will make sure the Australian people have all of the information they need. If we are going to have this fiscal debate then the member should come to the dispatch box and should say he is prepared to get the opposition's policies properly costed; otherwise, why would anybody take him seriously?

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