Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

But I am proud of what this government has achieved in its first 16 months. We said we would get rid of the carbon tax—the carbon tax is gone. And every Australian household is $550 a year better off. We said we would get rid of the mining tax—the mining tax is gone. And Australia's reputation as a safe place to invest has been restored. We said we would stop the boats—and haven't we stopped them! And as result of stopping the boats, hundreds of people are no longer dying at sea—and 1,800 kids who were in detention under members opposite are no longer in detention.

We said we would deliver on the trifecta of trade agreements—the big three: China, Japan and Korea. Sixty-one per cent of our merchandise trade is now covered by these free trade agreements. What that means is that the vast majority of our exports will enter those markets with a great competitive advantage against their rivals. And do you know what that means? It means more jobs for Australian workers. It means lower prices for Australian consumers. And it means more markets for Australian exporters. That is the trifecta of achievement that this government has managed. And members opposite fiddled their thumbs and argued with the unions and worried about green clauses—and one thing and another—and did nothing for six long years. They did nothing about this—just like the six long years they did nothing to sort out the submarine tender.

This is a government that, wherever you look, is doing the right thing by the people of Australia. You look opposite and what is the policy of the Leader of the Opposition? Bring back the carbon tax, bring back the mining tax and bring back the boats. You look opposite and what do you see? You see a Labor Party, which was the most incompetent government in Australia's history, that has learnt nothing—and they cannot change. You look opposite and you see a Leader of the Opposition completely untrusted by the people who know him best and who have worked with him most closely. The distrust between Rudd and Shorten was intense and enduring.

Ms Butler interjecting—

Mr Giles interjecting—

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