Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Indeed, tonight is budget night. Unlike those opposite, we understand and will never forget that it is important for government—just as it is for small business and families—to live within their means. So I am looking tonight for a credible path back to surplus. Small business, as most people on this side understand, is the engine room of our nation's prosperity. There are two million small businesses in Australia that will be looking to the budget tonight to support small business, to confidently invest and to create more jobs for our nation.

I will be looking for a budget that encourages all Australians to have a go. It is in our ethos, and we need a budget tonight that will support that. I am looking for a budget that will play to our nation's strengths, and our nation's strengths are our people. I welcome the announcements in respect of families—the significant investment in child care to make it more affordable, more flexible and more accessible for more families.

I specifically will be looking for the $203 million over the next four years for the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme; $60 million for tranche 2 irrigation investment; more money going into the jobs program and a budget that continues to build on confidence in my state of Tasmania.

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