Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I hear members opposite groaning. They think it is funny, they think it is tedious. That is the modern Labor Party. Well, I would say to members opposite: not every Australian is like your Senator Dastyari—able to ring someone up and get him to pay their bills. Not everybody is a privileged politician that can earn $200,000 a year and then, when he does not want to pay a bill, pick up the phone and get it picked up by some friend.

Let's face it; we know Australians are facing tough challenges in managing their household budgets. They need a strong economy to ensure that they keep their jobs, that their jobs are well paid and that their businesses do well. So there is nothing to do with fairness about leaving that legacy of debt. We take it seriously; Labor plainly does not. The constructive arrangement agreement that was reached between the Treasurer and the finance minister—

Mr Perrett interjecting—

and their counterparts in the omnibus savings bill is a very important step. It secures $6.3 billion in savings. It shows that the parliament can work. We need it to work more and more effectively in the future. We have to continue to prosecute the case for living within our means.

Opposition members interjecting—

Others may scoff, but we know we owe a solemn duty to our children and grandchildren not to burden them with that mountain of debt which profligacy by Labor governments has left them with. We are building the case for a strong future for our children and grandchildren, and we call on all parties and on the opposition in particular to join with us in that solemn responsibility. (Time expired)

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