House debates

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Questions without Notice

Employment

2:46 pm

Photo of Joe HockeyJoe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his last answer, when he said it was important to get the facts right. I refer him to the fact that he stated that the current unemployment rate is 5.1 per cent. Would the Treasurer advise the House what the actual current unemployment rate is?

2:47 pm

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

Yes, I do think it is important and it is 5.4 per cent. I made a mistake, but the one thing I think we should all understand is this: keeping unemployment low and creating jobs requires strong economic growth, and everything this government has done has kept our economy strong and kept jobs growing; 5.4 is the envy of the world.

Photo of Joe HockeyJoe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

Sit down, Wayne, you're finished!

Photo of Ms Anna BurkeMs Anna Burke (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for North Sydney might be finished in a moment!

Ms Julie Bishop interjecting

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is warned.