Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
2:30 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's statement in the House last year that Senator Johnston enjoyed his 'full confidence' and deserved the full support of the parliament as Minister for Defence. Does the Treasurer similarly enjoy the Prime Minister's full confidence? And given the Prime Minister was last year so confident that Senator Johnston would still be Defence Minister come February, will the Prime Minister deliver a similar commitment that the member for North Sydney will deliver May's budget?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:31 pm
I have full confidence in the Treasurer. I have full confidence in my team. Why wouldn't our nation have full confidence in a Treasurer—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The only one who is going to be gone is someone on my left.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
who has brought economic growth from 1.9 per cent a year ago to 2.7 per cent now, who has presided over an economy that has created more than 200,000 jobs in the last year—a jobs growth rate three times what was managed by the professional failure who asked that question—and who presided over an eight per cent increase in export volume and a 10 per cent increase in housing starts?
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Sydney has been warned and will desist or leave the chamber.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
This is a Treasurer who is delivering for the people of Australia. While the member who asked that question—
Mr Conroy interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
was a part of a succession of failures who presided over 3.6 per cent real growth in government spending over six years, he mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren to pay for their political fantasies. That is what the person who asked the question did. By contrast, this government is setting up Australia for the future with sound fiscal policies, with good budget management and with three free-trade agreements, which will be the foundation of future prosperity.