Wayne Swan Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
2:53 pm
My question is to the Treasurer. Why did the Treasurer fail to deny Mr Milne’s statement and his destabilising activities in the government?
Peter Costello Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer
I comprehensively answered this question before, and I will do it again. If the question is, ‘Do I think there is risk in the Australian economy?’ then the answer is yes. I will say that to the House and I will say that to the people of Australia, as I just have. There is risk in the Australian economy, and let me repeat: there is so much risk in the Australian economy that you cannot trust the Labor Party to run it. You are going to hear me say that hundreds if not thousands of times between now and the next election.
Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Community Services
Ms Macklin interjecting
Peter Costello Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer
We are stronger now that we do not carry $96 billion worth of debt. We are stronger now that we have had nine surplus budgets. We are stronger now that we have established the Future Fund. We are stronger now that we have reformed the tax system. We are stronger now that we have Work Choices. Are we strong enough to withstand a Labor government? No way!
Graham Edwards Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)
Why don’t you warn her?
Graham Edwards Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)
Mr Edwards interjecting
Graham Edwards Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary (Defence and Veterans' Affairs)
Mr Edwards interjecting
David Hawker Speaker
The member for Cowan will remove himself under standing order 94(a).
The member for Cowan then left the chamber.