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

In an unusual consensus across the Australian community, not only have business groups been highly supportive of the package but groups like Anglicare Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Climate Institute and the Clean Energy Council are all saying that this is a good package that is well targeted, well timed and absolutely urgently needed. This is a reaction across the Australian community. Even green groups, who are not very happy with us at the moment, are saying that this is a great package and that it is urgently needed. We have the support of all the state premiers, including Mr Barnett, the WA Liberal Premier. They know that the stimulus package is required. They know what is impacting on WA and the rest of Australia as a result of the downturn of the economies of our trading partners. We have strong support across the Australian community, and the parliament ought to support his initiative in the national interest.