Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

It is because there is no contradiction. Bringing the budget back to surplus, keeping our public finances strong—particularly when there are capacity constraints in the economy—is the rock of good economic management. We have to preserve our fiscal firepower if there are more events down the track. These are the basics of very strict fiscal discipline and the basics of sending a message to markets that this economy is strong, that our public finances are strong and that we can handle adverse events. Of course there is no contradiction. Those opposite are simply embarrassed. It was good enough for them when they were in government to introduce six levies. For the leader of this opposition to come into this House and stand up year after year after year—

See this speech in context