Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

We are building a 21st century economy, despite the opposition of Labor. Be sure of this: what hurts Labor the most out of the decision on the mining tax today is that it shows how irrelevant the modern Labor Party are. The Labor Party did not want to deal with the deficit and the debt limit that they created and they were dealt out. They did not want to deal on FoFA and they were dealt out. They did not want to deal on the carbon tax and they were dealt out. They did not want to deal on the mining tax and they were dealt out. The modern Labor Party are irrelevant. The only reason the Palmer United Party are relevant in these discussions is that the Labor Party and the Greens are voting for them. That is the only reason. And you know what? The only way the Labor Party will ever be relevant is if they start to believe in something—but don’t hold your breath.

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