Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Sorry, the Greens. I apologise.

Honourable senators interjecting—

My sincere apologies. Only half of the Labor Party and the Greens do not believe in progress. Half of the Labor Party and the Greens want us to move back into a cave and not do anything. On this side of the chamber, and perhaps some people on the Labor side of the chamber, we actually believe in policies to drive stronger economic growth. We believe it is a good thing for people to have the opportunity to get ahead. We believe it is a good thing for people across Australia to be able to aspire to better opportunities and to increased prosperity into the future. The policies pursued by this government are very much a reflection of that. We believe that coal is good and will continue to have a central part in driving economic growth in the future. That is why we got rid of the Labor/Greens carbon tax. We got rid of this impost on households and businesses across Australia that was making Australia less competitive without achieving any beneficial environmental outcomes. I very much thank Senator Waters for that question. I look forward to the supplementary question. (Time expired)