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

I have already explained the position of the government when it comes to fuel excise indexation, and our position is different to that of Senator Macdonald. But let me point out to the chamber that I am also aware of the views of a former senior Labor cabinet minister, none other than Craig Emerson. There was a time there when I could not switch on the television without Craig Emerson popping up and telling us how this is good sound economic policy, how this is a sound fiscal structural reform. There was a time when in the Labor Party there were sensible economic managers. There was a time when in the Labor Party there were some people with economic credibility. They have long gone.