Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our Treasurer handed down a fair and responsible budget on 8 May. He tackled lower corporate and personal tax rates. When Keating and Costello did the same thing, the economy thrived. Australian companies, like Qantas, are global players and must be competitive with the world. Under the budget, there is increased global spending on health and on schools. There are 20 per cent instant cash write-offs. The Building Better Regions Fund will continue, as will the Stronger Communities Program. The budget will be back to surplus by 2021, one year earlier than expected. The government has delivered an extra one million jobs in five years. It has cut red tape, with $5.9 billion having been saved since 2013. There are incentives for business.

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

You wouldn't know, mate. The government is guaranteeing essential services. It is living within its means. Now we must pass these tax bills in full and watch the Australian economy bound ahead. Let's make Australia great again, Jim.