Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I am in a position where I will have to withdraw a statement. I withdraw that the leader of the opposition read Phil Coorey's column this morning; clearly, that is not true. On the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, I stand by the words that I have just answered in the first part of the leader of the opposition's question. On the question of wording about surplus, I do recall the time in February where in three or four days the leader of the opposition said they would have a surplus 'as quickly as possible', the shadow minister for finance said 'it just depends', the shadow Treasurer said 'as soon as possible' and then the member of Sturt reverted to type and said he 'would have to look at the books'. Where have we heard that before? From Campbell Newman.

See this speech in context