Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, when was the last time more than 800,000 Australians were unemployed?

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia's population has grown and continues to grow and workforce participation is increasing, which is fantastic! It shows that people have the confidence to participate in the workplace. As a former Treasurer, the member for McMahon would know that we have a great record of success in creating 334,000 new jobs in less than two years. In the last month alone, we have created 38,000 new jobs in Australia. The average in the last 12 months under Labor was 3,600 jobs per month. In the last month we had the fastest rate of job growth out of the G7 and most of the G20—one of the fastest rates of job growth in the world. So that is a good story. But there is much more work to be done.

I know he is very fond of reflecting on the past, because he has just written a book called TheMoney Men: Australia’s Twelve Most Notable Treasurers.

Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My point of order is on relevance. This was a specific question about 800,000 Australians on the dole queue, and you are making a joke—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hotham will resume her seat. The Treasurer has been talking about the topic of the question in his answer. I will ensure that he remains—

Mr Perrett interjecting—

I do not need the member for Moreton to interject when I am addressing the House. He can leave under 94(a).

The member for Moreton then left the chamber.

I will listen to the Treasurer carefully. He is coming to a new topic.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was asked about the history of jobs, and I wanted to reflect on the job of the former Treasurer, the member for Lilley. I discovered something when I opened up the chapter on him. His name is Wayne Maxwell Swan—not very 'Smart'! The member for McMahon is so proud of the achievements of the previous Labor government, which he asked me to reflect on, that when he referred to what Wayne Maxwell Swan is doing now—

Mr Hartsuyker interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not need the acting Leader of the House to interject.

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There has already been a point of order on relevance. What is the point of order? On what subject?

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is that the Treasurer appears unaware that the answer is '20 years ago'.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for McMahon, that is a frivolous point of order. You are warned! The Treasurer will continue and he will remain relevant to the topic of unemployment.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is right, because Wayne Maxwell Swan oversaw the loss of 200,000 jobs in just five years compared to 334,000 jobs created under us. Of course, Wayne Maxwell Swan had such a great history as a Treasurer—he just missed delivering a surplus by this much! How did that happen! It was really that much! The job losses were that much as well.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Treasurer will confine himself to the topic of unemployment.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The problem is: Labor never learns from its lessons. Labor was the architect of job losses. We are the architects of job creation. We are proud of the 38,000 jobs created in Australia last month. We are proud of the 334,000 jobs created since we came to office—and we recognise there is more work to be done.

Mr Husic interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Chifley will cease interjecting.

Mr Danby interjecting—

The member for Melbourne Ports will cease interjecting. He has already been warned twice.