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

In the March quarter, housing construction was up by 4.7 per cent and that is the best result in six years. In the March quarter, exports were up by five per cent and that is the best result in 15 years. Service exports were up by eight per cent and that is the best result in eight years. Over the last 12 months, retail sales are up by 4.9 per cent. In July, car sales set a new record. So our economy is strengthening where it matters most when it comes to jobs. There are now more than 335,000 extra jobs in our economy than where things were in September 2013. That is 335,000 more people in work now than at election time. The participation rate is up because people are more confident. Female participation is at the highest level on record. ANZ job ads are 9.3 per cent higher now than a year ago and have risen in 10 of the last of 12 months. And the cost of living is down for so many families not just because of the abolition of the carbon tax but because interest rate cuts mean a family with an average mortgage is $1,500 a year better off. This government has a plan. The plan is working. We are delivering for the good people of our country.

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