Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Just like you, Senator Ronaldson—through you, Mr President—some of those opposite were named this morning as being the ringleaders of the Malcolm Turnbull camp. Some of those in this chamber were named. Some of them might be wearing red ties today, and some of them might sit on the opposition front bench. But, unlike those on that side of the chamber, we are focused on doing what is best for Australian families—and what is best for Australian families is delivering a budget surplus and delivering the capacity for the Reserve Bank to act. We are going to continue to bowl up those measures to ensure that we have got absolute maximum effort by this government on the fiscal side of the equation—unlike those opposite, who were exposed last week by information released to the Financial Review which demonstrated that the International Monetary Fund had absolutely pointed the finger at those opposite, including ‘Doctor Yes’ over there, the former Minister for Finance and Administration. What were you doing on the job? How did you collect your pay each week? The finance minister in this government spends his time saying no to everybody—unlike the finance minister in the previous government, who just rolled over and rolled over and rolled over; their budget was completely out of control. Their budget was completely out of control—growth of government expenditure stood at four per cent, outspending the Whitlam government.