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

I wish to add to an answer. The total permanent force of the Australian Defence Force is increasing by 735 over the next four years. This is why the budget for salaries has gone up. In addition there are 775 extra reserves, and that is why the budget for salaries has gone up. I table the page from the budget papers—do not look so bemused, this is actually in the budget papers—and that is an indication of it. Secondly, for the edification of the member for McMahon, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence data says that last week it was at 114.3. The monthly average since 1990 is 112.8, which shows that Australian consumer confidence is above the long-term average. Again, I table that for the sake of someone who is sloppy.