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

I take issue with the assumptions in the question asked by Senator Brandis. It shows, actually, the negativity and the oppositionist nature of everything they do. For instance, there are cost-of-living pressures on people and families, but it is also the case that they are aware that this government has done a lot to try to relieve that pressure, be it tax cuts, the childcare tax rebate, paid parental leave or the huge increase in pensions that we delivered to Australia's pensioners. So the government is very much aware of those cost-of-living pressures and has been very active in trying to assist families.

But, as always, the spin from the Liberal opposition is how bad things are—how negative things are. Senator Brandis refers to our unemployment situation. He does not mention America being at nine per cent. He does not mention the eurozone being around 10 per cent. He does not mention those countries that have 15 per cent. We have a fantastic employment record in this country. We have the lowest unemployment rate among comparable countries, but for Senator Brandis somehow we are doom and gloom and the world is going to end. There are cost-of-living pressures on Australians, but the Australian economy is in much better shape than most comparable nations. Senator Brandis, you failed to recognise that the IMF, in their report, also went on to review Australia's performance as being 'enviable'. They actually commented on how strong our economy was and what a good job the government had done in surviving the global financial crisis with very good results in terms of employment and stimulus packages that we implemented. So I suggest that Senator Brandis actually take a bit of a broader view and move out of this terrible oppositionist and negative mindset. (Time expired)