Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This government has scrapped the carbon tax and every household is $550 a year better off. This government is rolling out the National Broadband Network on time and on budget. This government has successfully finalised three free trade agreements, which members opposite struggled with for six years. They could not land a single one of the big deals with our major trading partners. Within 18 months, this government has put them in place and, as a result of what this government has done, our major exports to our major export markets will enter duty free. This is a proud record of achievement. It is a record of sound economic management and it is a record of sound, competent administration.

But there is more. This government said, on the election night back in September 2013, that Australia was once more open for business and under new management. I am very pleased to say, as a result of the good work of the Minister for the Environment, that $1 trillion worth of major new projects have been environmentally approved and environmental approval times are at their shortest on record.

So, when it comes to economic management and when it comes to administrative competence, that is exactly what this government has demonstrated. We are serious; members opposite are not. Look at the economic results. Jobs growth in our first year was three times the rate of members opposite's last year. Economic growth was 25 per cent higher in our first year than in Labor's last year. And let me repeat again: export volumes are up seven per cent, housing approvals are up nine per cent, retail trade is up four per cent and interest rates are low and stable. The exchange rate is finally competitive. Petrol prices are at the lowest level in decades. I am not saying that this government controls petrol prices, but it certainly has had a bit to do with power prices, which had the biggest fall on record in the September quarter of last year. This government is delivering.

One of the worst features of debate in this House is the complete absence of any sense of giving credit where it is due and the complete absence of any sense of attributing good faith to people who are doing their best, sometimes under difficult circumstances. The shadow Treasurer—

Opposition members interjecting—

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