Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for that question, because the one thing that everyone on this side of the House is proudest of is the creation of almost one million jobs—one million jobs!—in the time that we have been in power. I do want to make a couple of points about this, because almost one million jobs have been achieved during one of the most difficult times in the global economy in over 80 years.

Of course, we saw the shadow Treasurer last week when the unemployment figures came out—the labour force was published—and unemployment was at 5.5 per cent. In the context of almost one million jobs being created since we came to power, he described that outcome as 'mediocre'. Well, you would have to be a bonehead to make that sort of statement—a complete bonehead to claim—

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