and they are always changing their story. Whether it is support for the carbon tax or opposition to the carbon tax, they are always out there changing their story.

I thought that what I would do today would be to quote an authoritative source on the economy and how competitive we are. Who said: 'When the Prime Minister and the Treasurer say that the economy is doing better than most, they are right. I agree with them'? John Howard said that. So John Howard does not share that particular view. He went on to say:

There's no doubt that the Australian economy is doing better than most.

Our unemployment is remarkably low; our debt-to-GDP is converged very favourably; and by all the measurements, our inflation is low.

That is the former Prime Minister of Australia and his characterisation of our economy.