Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I am disheartened by the appearance of these irresponsible comments. This is a government that does understand that there are serious challenges. But we will not deal with those challenges by indulging in the doomsday prophecies of those opposite, and we do not have to deal with those challenges by turning off international investors or encouraging people to think of this country as a place which is not good to invest in. We need businesses in this country to stay strong. They are critical to the provision of quality jobs and quality exports, and they are the lifeblood of communities right across the country. That is why this government is in the business of transformation. That is why we are in the business of ensuring that this country stays ahead of the curve. Our competitors may have the edge in low-value, low-tech, labour-hungry manufacturing, but we want to ensure that we retain a competitive advantage, that we—(Time expired)