Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. In an uncertain global environment it's crucial that decisions for our country's future are grounded in clear and consistent values and principles. Will the Prime Minister inform the House how the Morrison government's national economic plan is strengthening our economy for a stronger future?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just before I call the Prime Minister, the interjections on my left are too loud.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Robertson for her question and her great work over the summer leading the inquiry into the social media bill, which is designed to stand up to trolls and big-tech companies. I thank you for the work you've been doing in listening to the genuine concerns of Australians.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't know why those opposite are interjecting while I'm commending a member who is doing that work. Those opposite can explain themselves at another time.

Opposition members interjecting—

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Whoever made that unparliamentary comment—I didn't see who it was—I'd ask them to withdraw it.

Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications and Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I believe you're referring to me. I said the Prime Minister was a fraud and I do not believe that is unparliamentary.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a unparliamentary, and I ask you to withdraw it.

Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications and Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It seems the trolls aren't limited to the internet!

Honourable members interjecting—

We're on track as a nation to have the lowest rate of unemployment in this country in 50 years. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our country in the months ahead, over the course of 2022, to have an unemployment rate with a three in front of it. This is an achievement of the Australian people—the business owners of this country and the workers of this country—who have pushed forward throughout this pandemic. At the same time, right now we have an unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent and an unemployment rate amongst young people of 9.8 per cent, half of what it was at the peak of the pandemic and the lowest level we've seen since 2008. Under our government, a million more women are back in work under the policies of our government and 700,000 jobs were saved by JobKeeper as a result of the policies of our governments. There are 220,000 Australians who are trade apprentices in training right now, which is the highest level this country has seen since records started in 1963.

Our economy is pushing out of this pandemic as one of the strongest economies in the world, and that sets up a great opportunity for this country. As we come out of this pandemic stronger than most of the advanced economies in this world, it isn't just about reclaiming what was lost over the COVID period; it's about a new era of economic opportunity for this country. We have maintained our AAA credit rating and business confidence is returning. All this is based on a strong plan—a plan of lower taxes and cutting red tape, a plan of investing in the infrastructure and skills development which will set us up for the future. Thirdly, it's a plan for reliable, affordable energy. Fourthly, it's a plan for a data and digital economy that will be in the top 10 of the world by 2030 and continuing to build our sovereign capability as we see a resurgence in the manufacturing industries of this country under our policies. That's the plan for Australia's future, a plan that Australians are backing and can back. (Time expired.)