Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am glad the Senate finally got to some reference to this year's budget. The government has committed to bring the budget back into surplus. We have indicated the time frame. We have given the projections of how that is to occur. I think if one looks at the independent commentary since the budget there has been an endorse­ment of the strategy that the government will bring this budget back into surplus. That has not been questioned more broadly by economic commentators or business. Those budget estimates, confirmed by Treasury, have been accepted in the broader com­munity as being an accurate reflection of the government's ability to bring the budget back into surplus. The only question will be tonight as to whether Mr Abbott is able to do the same. Given that the Liberal Party has promised a program that will bring the budget back into surplus next year, we are very much looking forward to seeing how that goes.