Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. I think the link there is the pressure that's on the budget. If I focus on that, I will say to Senator Rennick, 'Look at the work that we've done to repair the budget in the three years that we've been here.' Budgets, obviously, are different in terms of the role that they have to play in the economy. When there is a need for government to lean in, as we saw during economic shocks, the budget is used as a way of leaning in, particularly when private investment withdraws. What we've seen, in welcome ways, is that private-sector investment is returning post the inflation shock that we've just been through, and that is good. That means we can continue to repair the fiscal buffers over time. But a budget also has to provide services and supports to the community. We have to balance up the range of pressures that are on the budget but repair it over time. That's what we've done in the last three years, and that's what we'd do if we were re-elected.