Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for his question. One thing I'll say about the Nationals is that, when we say something, we put our names to it. We're backing the tax plan of the government. The Liberal and National parties—the Turnbull-McCormack government—are backing the tax plan of the government. And I'll tell you why we're backing it: because it's a blueprint for our economic future. It's a 10-year enterprise tax plan just like we've got a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline. There is $75 billion in investing in the infrastructure that this country needs, that Australians want, demand, expect and deserve. That's what we're doing.

But I'll just go back to his little point about the newspaper article today and I'll say again that, at least when National Party members make a comment to the press, they put their name to it. I tell you what: we often hear shadow ministers, Labor sources and Left sources making comments about the leadership of the man opposite—the leadership of the member for Maribyrnong. And do you know why? Because he's on borrowed time, and the member who asked the question knows it because he's going to be the biggest beneficiary when the member for Maribyrnong falls over. But I say again that the Nationals and the Liberals are in lock step with the tax plan.

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