Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I am sorry that the senator opposite is confused. I will clarify the record for him. Since the question given to me referred to the record, I was simply making a comparison—indeed, a comparative analysis, which is what this place is about—and I made the point that the very best that Labor could come up with was marginally above our very worst. If those opposite would like to reiterate relative benefits regarding the economy—and I think that was the substance of the question—let me say that we are proud to have led a government that took this country from an appalling state of affairs in 1996 when we took office. That appalling state of affairs was reflected by an unemployment rate of 10.9 per cent at the peak of Labor. Australia now enjoys a 4.3 per cent unemployment rate, the lowest in 30 years. So I certainly enjoy any question from the other side which seeks to genuinely compare the performance of government over the years.

Home mortgage rates have been mentioned a number of times. There is a concern amongst the Australian people about what will happen under Labor should they come to power. I think we all know that there will be a repeat of history. You can be sure of that. Today we have a home mortgage rate of 8.3 per cent; under Labor it peaked at 17 per cent.