House debates

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Questions without Notice

Nation Building and Jobs Plan

2:01 pm

Photo of Malcolm TurnbullMalcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his declaration that his $10 billion pre-Christmas cash splash would create 75,000 jobs and to his further statement that his latest $42 billion spending package, including another $13 billion cash splash, would support 90,000 jobs. I ask the Prime Minister: would he detail to the House exactly where any of his promised 75,000 jobs have actually been created?

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

As the Leader of the Opposition will be aware, firstly, when it comes to measures which were announced last October and which flowed through in payments in December and, secondly and most recently, with the passage of the measures which went through the Senate, I seem to recall, a week or so ago, the flow-through effect on the economy will occur during the course of this year. We will also see what occurs with the fourth quarter data for 2008. This is a responsible course of action. The alternative, as recommended by the Liberal Party, is to do nothing.