Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Marshall for the additional question because it is important that people understand that, in addition to the direct measures contained in the budget which will directly assist families and those on fixed incomes, the overall economic strategy of the budget relies on a large surplus. The surplus is designed to provide the economic conditions to allow us to put downward pressure on inflation and interest rates. The opposition seem to have abandoned all economic responsibility and seem no longer to support a large surplus, but we have tried to ensure that our spending measures are supported by savings and increased revenue so as to maintain that large surplus. If we are allowed to get those revenue measures passed by the Senate we will be able to deliver those economic conditions for Australian families. I urge the opposition to allow this government to deliver that surplus rather than to continue to threaten it. That will enable us to provide assistance to families and people on fixed incomes.