Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

As we have repeatedly stated, we will do whatever it takes to protect Australian jobs and families. When you go home this weekend you will have to talk to those people in your electorates and those people where you live—in the shopping centres, at the coffee shops and in the workplaces—and you will have to say to them: ‘We’re sorry if you lose your job because of the global recession and the contraction in the Australian economy. We’re sorry about that, but we’ve got some short-term politics to play. We’re going to pretend we’re not in recession. We are going to pretend that there isn’t pressure on the downside in the Australian economy.’

Senator Minchin understands it. Mr Pyne understands it. Former Minister Bailey understands it. Former Minister Baldwin understands it, but the Leader of the Opposition and clearly an overwhelming majority— (Time expired)