Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

‘Pass this $42 billion package or else!’ Never at any stage did it come to the opposition and say: ‘We have a crisis on our hands. We believe a major stimulus package is required. We want to deal with the opposition, the alternative government of the country. We want to come to an agreement with the opposition as to the appropriate package to provide a stimulus to the economy.’ Never at any stage was that done. Instead, they just landed the $42 billion on the table and, in Whitlamesque fashion, said, ‘Crash through or crash.’ Well, the government has crashed and it is now having to trade with the minor parties.

That all could have been avoided if this arrogant government had had the wit to sit down with the opposition and negotiate a sensible package to provide the stimulus that this country needs. We accept a stimulus package, but we do not accept $42 billion of expenditure—$9,500 of debt for every man, woman and child in this country. We do not accept that. The government could have negotiated a sensible package with us. Now we have this farce of the government negotiating with the crossbenches, buying them off to get a package through the parliament. It is outrageous and I hope this government has learned a very good lesson from this whole episode.