Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before I start, I would like to pass on my best wishes to the town of St George in your electorate, Mr Deputy Speaker Scott, and hope that everyone is recovering, especially the occupants of those 60 or so houses that went under water.

I rise to support the two bills currently before the House, Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2011-2012 and Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2011-2012, which will appropriate $2.8 billion and $341 million respectively. These bills authorise funding for measures outlined in the 2011-12 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Gillard government is shaping a strong economy, protecting jobs and delivering the services Australians want and deserve now and for the future. The Gillard Labor government has helped keep our economy strong with a record of fiscal discipline. With continuing global economic unrest, particularly in Europe, now more than ever Australia needs a responsible pair of hands on the economy. Treasurer Wayne Swan—the world's No. 1 Treasurer—has shown how to navigate our economy through global uncertainty. As the Treasurer says, 'Our economy walks tall in the world'—and other political leaders say that as well. I note the Leader of the Opposition said, in his address to the Policy Exchange in London on 10 November last year:

This year, Australia's economic growth is expected to be one and three quarters per cent; our unemployment rate—

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