Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I am asked what threats there are to the economy. Obviously there are threats from international factors such as oil prices, which are not good for the economy, but the greatest threat to the Australian economy domestically—in Ryan!—would be the election of the Leader of the Opposition. I can think of nothing that could be worse for the Australian economy than Kim Beazley being in a position of influence. Unemployment went below five per cent last week, and the Leader of the Opposition was nowhere to be seen. As a journalist in the Australian recorded:

Australia records its lowest unemployment rate in 30 years and poor old Kim Beazley is worrying about temporary immigrants undermining union rorts.

The journalist said:

Beazley is the leaf blower of Australian politics ...

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