Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I am sorry if that is not right and Senator Joyce has been misquoted on the wires, but certainly the reporting seems to indicate that he thought we did not need the surplus.

Certainly, as we know, the opposition have said they can cut the rate of petrol, pay $30 a week in pensions and prevent any extra taxation revenue, and that we need not worry about the economic pressures on our economy. We ought not worry about the international impacts. Somehow we can do all these things and we do not need the budget surplus. Well, we say we do. And we say to the opposition: pass the budget, act responsibly and allow us to provide the sort of economic stability and responsibility that Australia needs. Join us in making sure we act responsibly, rather than taking the path of economic irresponsibility and trashing your economic credentials. If you want to talk about bipartisanship, pass the budget and allow us to maintain the surplus. (Time expired)