Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

I have to correct the record. I said that 178,000 of those jobs were full time. I have been corrected by advisers in the advisers’ box: in fact, it was 184,000 who got full-time jobs. So the figures are even better. What Senator Marshall has just said defies belief, because I think it was the current deputy leader of the Labor Party, Jenny Macklin, who on TV said, ‘Casual jobs ain’t real jobs.’ That is what the Labor Party have been saying.

Under this government, employment growth started off with casuals. And we were beaten around the head for having extra casuals. Now that the casuals are leaving and becoming full time, once again it is a conspiracy against the workers! The Labor Party really have to get their lines right on this. I suggest Senator Marshall have a chat with Jenny Macklin, get their lines right and then tell us what stance the Labor Party takes on this. Having said that, despite the provocation that might come from the other side, I will desist from responding so that we can get to a vote.