Jim Chalmers (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Like with all public expenditure, we do the best that we can to make sure that public money is going where it's appropriate. Where we discover that that funding is not appropriate, if it's possible, we take the relevant steps at the relevant time. That's been the approach of governments of both political persuasions to try and make sure that public spending, public money, is going where it's appropriate. The broader point that I would make about this is that, at a time when this country faces very serious economic challenges here and abroad—challenges that this side of the House is very focused on—what they have shown over there is that they are more focused on issues which are not the central concern of people around the kitchen tables of this country.

Having got to 2.30 on day 2 without a question from the shadow Treasurer, despite the best efforts of Dennis Shanahan and others who have pointed out that those opposite have completely vacated the field on the economy, the shadow Treasurer, in his usual way, has got up and proven that to be true. If they want to ask me questions, ask me questions about the big economic challenges. I'd be happy to answer them.

Honourable members interjecting—

An honourable member: Withdraw that.

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