Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian economy continues to grow. We're into our 28th year of continuous growth. We are one of 10 economies that are AAA-rated by the three major credit rating agencies, with more than 1.4 million new jobs and the highest workforce participation on record. Earlier I was asked a question about wages growth. Real wages grew by 0.7 per cent through the year to the June quarter—above the 20-year average of 0.6 per cent and above the rate of 0.4 per cent through-the-year growth when Labor left office. So, let me say again: wages growth today is stronger than it was when Labor left office. Real wages growth today is stronger than the long-term average.

We are continuing to work to build the strongest-possible economy in the context of very difficult conditions globally and domestically. You say that you had difficult conditions back in 2012-13. Let me tell you: you either had the— (Time expired)