Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs and Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They are definitely very keen to listen to the minister. Will the minister advise the House of the latest retail sales figures and the role of the government’s stimulus package in supporting retail sales for business, including small business? Are there any impediments to ongoing stimulus?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Craig Emerson (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are there any impediments! I thank the member for Fowler for her question. I can report on the retail sales figures that were released this morning. They indicate that the retail sales for the month of July actually fell by one per cent, which follows a contraction of 0.8 per cent in June. I can, though, put this in some perspective. Retail sales since November last year—that is, the pre-stimulus period—have in fact grown by 4.8 per cent. That sets us apart from the rest of the developed world because in the rest of the developed world retail sales have contracted in that period.

What it really means is that we need to take a reality check on the economic situation in this country. Yes, there are encouraging signs. Yes, there are positive signs in the consumer confidence figures that were released today. But we know how fragile consumer and business confidence is. We need to do everything that we possibly can to back in that consumer and business confidence and thereby prepare for the recovery. That is the view of just about every respected commentator in Australia and overseas. In fact, yesterday I cited no fewer than 13 examples of institutions and organisations overseas and here in Australia who say that a premature withdrawal of stimulus would be precipitant, reckless and irresponsible. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund said:

Premature exit from accommodative monetary and fiscal policies is a principal concern.

We have already heard the Treasurer refer to CommSec, who said, ‘We wouldn’t be advocating that the government or the Reserve Bank change their settings in any way at the moment.’ The Commonwealth Bank chief economist, Michael Blythe, said: ‘The Australian economy will continue to benefit from economic policy stimulus in 2009. We’re not there yet.’ An ANZ economist said, ‘Government policy actions continue to be a critical factor supporting the economy.’ They are just a few of the 13 organisations overseas and in Australia who say it would be reckless and irresponsible to withdraw stimulus.

But of course there are different views, and the different views have been articulated today straight off the script issued by the Leader of the Opposition’s office. The member for Fadden, the Gomer Pyle of Australian politics, stood up and said: ‘Gol-lee! Gol-lee, Sergeant! The rest of the Western world right now is lookin’ at how to wind back stimulus. Stimulus is all about puttin’ government money in where private sector money comes out.’

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister should be very careful.

Craig Emerson (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

‘Well, as private sector money is goin’ back in, every other government in the world, except for Mr Rudd and Labor, is actually windin’ back the stimulus.’ Andy Warhol once said that everyone will have 15 minutes of fame. Well, brother, this is your 15 minutes of fame—the Gomer Pyle of Australian politics. But you did not write the script; we know that. It is not your fault—well, not entirely. You walked out with a script from the opposition leader’s office without reading it.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We know that the minister is very excited by having three answers in three days, but he needs to refer to the member for Fadden by his title.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister knows the requirement to refer to members by their parliamentary titles and to refer his remarks through the chair.

Craig Emerson (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will, Mr Speaker. When I was looking up various news reports for commentary on the retail sales figures about which I have commented just now, I noticed a report. You might remember, Mr Speaker, that earlier in the week I likened the opposition leader to Major Tom, an astronaut circling around the world isolated on the issue of stimulus. But he is not exactly alone. I learned today that Buzz Lightyear has been circling the earth for more than a year in the International Space Station. Do you how long he has been circling the earth? Four hundred and sixty-seven days, which is the number of days since the shadow minister for small business last asked me a question. Up Buzz Lightyear went into the atmosphere after I got that last question—two days later. I urge the Leader of the Opposition to come back to earth with Buzz Lightyear, get away from the isolation of the upper stratosphere, support the Rudd government, support the Rudd government’s stimulus package, support small business—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will now conclude his answer.

Craig Emerson (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

support the Australian economy and support Australian workers.

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Members in cockies corner, including the member for New England, will put their props down. I am surprised by the actions that unite the Independents and the National Party. I make the observation, without in any way being partisan, that the education revolution might need to attract the attention of the member for Kennedy.