Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's a great privilege to be able to stand and speak on the appropriations bills. What Australians should be absolutely rock solid on, as we get closer to the next election, is that Australians will have a very clear choice as to who is best set to manage the economy—who is best set to manage jobs and growth for the future. During the course of this speech, I want to have a look at the coalition's track record and put that against those who sit on the opposite side of this chamber.

The previous speaker, in his contribution, spoke briefly about energy costs, reminding the Australian public of what those on the other side of this chamber did in the way of energy costs for pensioners and how tough it was on cost-of-living pressures. I'd remind the Australian public that the Australian Labor Party took great glee in putting a tax on energy. Everyone would remember the carbon tax: 10 per cent extra for pensioners, mums and dads and small businesses—no-one escaped it. We have a subtle difference between the policies of this side of the chamber and those of the other side. There is not a tax that those on the other side of the chamber will not run to with great gusto, as opposed to this side of the chamber, which is actively promoting jobs and growth through sound policy, which the Liberal Party has driven. Jobs and growth—no less than 400,000 jobs, in contrast to the number of jobs that were grown when Labor was last in power.

The coalition government is heading in the right direction. We're making gains that will ease cost-of-living pressures, help ensure jobs and jobs security and ensure that we can afford to deliver social services and support those who are most in need. That's what this government is about. It's not about the rhetoric, the grandstanding or the picketing. We're about getting on and doing it. Those on the other side will oppose this concept, but the best way you can help someone in need is to give them a job—give them a reason to get out of bed every morning, give them a purpose and give them the capacity to go and buy a car or a home. You can only do that when you are in employment and making a contribution to this nation. We, hand on heart, believe in that concept. The same cannot be said for those on the other side of the chamber.

A strong economy is the key to creating more and better-paid jobs. Jobs and growth—look at our record: 400,000 jobs. I have a graph in front of me. Between 2008 and 2013—it's in black and white, so I'm having trouble. I need the colour graph. Regardless, it shows that under Labor I think there were 150,000 jobs—

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