Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Groom. He understands that a strong economy is the basis for everything else that you hope to achieve as a government. It's a strong economy that guarantees the essentials that Australians rely on, whether that's the pension, whether that is aged-care funding—at record levels under this government—whether it's the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It all depends on the economic and financial management that is necessary to ensure a strong economy. A strong economy means a stronger future.

I'm asked about the uncertainty of the times and what is necessary. What you need is strong economic leadership and strong leadership on national security. There needs to be strength in your decisions, and there is no room for weakness.

I've been asked about alternative approaches. It is true: I've answered the member for Lindsay about the government's strong economic plan, but there is an alternative approach that we know that comes from the Labor Party. It was the shadow Treasurer who was asked, by David Speers: 'Would you increase taxes for ordinary Australians at all?' His answer: he said, 'We haven't finalised our full suite of policies.' As you'd appreciate, Mr Speaker, there are still two budget updates between now and the next election. There was a simple answer: 'No. No, we're not going to increase taxes,' but the shadow Treasurer couldn't answer it that way. We know the Labor Party, and the Labor leader in particular, have always been for higher taxes, as the Treasurer has been reminding the House. He's been for a mining tax. He's been for a carbon tax. He's been for a congestion tax. He's been for a retirees' tax. He's been for inheritance taxes.

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