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

Thank you for that question. Clearly it is the last question on a Thursday afternoon, because this government is at one when it comes to taking the decisive action necessary to strengthen growth and to limit the impact of the global financial crisis on Australian jobs. Those opposite might think that the global economic crisis has been hyped up, but the sobering reality is that we are facing the most significant upheaval in global financial markets since the Great Depression. The government will do everything possible in these difficult global conditions to support growth and jobs in this country.

Those opposite are incapable of settling on a consistent position throughout this global crisis. One day they support the Economic Security Strategy; the next day they oppose payments to families. One day they offer bipartisanship; the next day they do all they can to create instability and uncertainty. So let me repeat: this government is at one when it comes to taking the decisive action necessary to strengthen growth and to limit the impact of the global financial crisis on Australian jobs.

What is really disappointing is that they have given this question to one of the new senators, because one of the new senators will not have the corporate history to remember when those opposite ran a deficit. They actually ran a deficit themselves. Senator Fifield ran a deficit. So they give you a question lauding the idea that you must stay in surplus—an economically irresponsible position—when their own Treasurer, and Senator Fifield before him, ran a deficit. (Time expired)