Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I have already pointed out that job growth this year under the coalition has been running at twice the level it was under Labor. Under Labor it was 5,300 a month, and under us it is 12,300 per month during the course of the year. I have also pointed out the strong retail trade figures for September. Retail trade rose 1.2 per cent, seasonally adjusted. This translates into a rise above market expectations for the quarter. Strong job advertisement numbers were released on 3 November—this is hugely important. Small and medium enterprise business conditions are at the highest levels since 2009.

Opposition members interjecting—

I cannot hear you guys over there now. It is amazing, isn't it? Deloitte Access Economics shows investment is strong. Ernst & Young's Australasian Capital Confidence Barometer recognises that we now have 96 per cent of businesses believing the economy is improving, and 90 per cent are confident corporate earnings will be better than a year ago. Most importantly, we are starting to see consumer confidence levels, business expectation levels, and business confidence levels all at long-term trend. But there is more to be done. The only impediment is the Labor Party, which just does not understand economics.

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