Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Given that the Labor government inherited a strong surplus and zero debt, their performance to this point shows that they are not prepared for the current economic challenges that the country faces. They have a budget that has increased spending. According to Treasury figures, the budget surplus would have been larger in 2007-08 if Mr Swan, rather than increasing expenditure, had done nothing.

When he was speaking to the motion, Senator Fifield outlined the proud record of the coalition government. We have heard from Senator Cameron, but he refused to talk about the great stain on this government’s record at the moment, which is unemployment. I have outlined how we have heard the Treasurer and the Prime Minister talk constantly about the problems facing the economy and how they have refused to tackle them. I thank the Senate for its time.