Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

My good colleague Senator Joyce is absolutely right. Where are pensioners? Where are self-funded retirees? They are simply not there. It is interesting that the Labor Party said earlier that people out there in the communities are going to be absolutely appalled at what the coalition is doing. I want to read you an email that I received today from Mr Steven Mitchell. His email is indicative of the view of a number of people out there in the community. His email is indicative of what they actually believe is happening.

I do not make it a habit to write to elected members of parliament, but in this case I feel compelled to.

The federal government has recently forwarded a bill that it has labelled as a ‘stimulus plan’ for the country. It is nothing more than an insane political stunt that threatens the very welfare and prosperity of all Australians for generations to come.

Borrowing money to give cash handouts is in no way going to turn the Australian economy around. For every $1000 given out it is likely that the government will need to raise $2000 or more in taxes to pay for the handout. This taxation will deter future job growth. Many of their other spending initiatives will not create genuine wealth either, as they do not focus on greater productivity; productivity is the heart of employment. There is no long-term value in this radically irresponsible proposal.

I urge you as a fellow decent Australian to reject the government’s ‘stimulus plan’. Please do not try and second-guess what may be popular - this plan is utter madness. If this proposal is passed by the senate we are on the path towards complete destruction of future economic prosperity for generations to come.

So much for the Labor Party saying that those out there think that we are doing the wrong thing. We are not doing the wrong thing. We are doing the right thing, the responsible thing, for the people of this country. There is no doubt that we are experiencing very difficult and serious times, but this plan is not the way forward. I and my colleagues will oppose the package and make sure that we have a secure and sustainable future for all Australians.