Garth Hamilton (Groom, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before I turn my full force to this excellent MPI, if the rumours are right, this is my last chance to speak before you, Deputy Speaker Andrews, so I will take the opportunity to say what a pleasure it has been to serve with you and how well you've done in the chair.

The longest household recession on record—goodness me, how did we get there? I want to take you on a journey back in time to what I will call 'the golden age' of the Albanese government. It lasted about 18 months. The golden age was right at the start, about January 2023, and things were great. The blue carpet was still fresh with new shoes running over it. The Voice was there to be won. Remember when the No. 1 focus of this government was the Voice for 18 good solid months. Polling was about 70 per cent for it. That was a good time. That must have felt fantastic. The misinformation bill hadn't been withdrawn twice at that point. It was still there to be won. They were going to tell us how to talk. This was the honeymoon period; it was a great time.

It was during this time that the Treasurer of this great nation decided to bestow on us a 6,000 word essay on how he was going to remake capitalism and reshape our economy. It's 6,000 words. It's interesting reading, if you can chug your way through it. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're without sleep and at a desperate point.

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