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

We have been upfront with the Australian people that there are going to be enormous impacts from this global financial crisis and that we are not immune. That is why we have acted early and strongly to try and protect the Australian economy as much as we can. That is why we implemented the measures that we did late last year and why the payments that we introduced are being paid this week. This is to try and protect the economy and to try and protect Australian jobs. We are trying to do all that we can to protect us from the worst impacts of this financial crisis. Senator, we appreciate the support you gave for those measures in December. This is an international crisis. We are acting decisively and strongly to protect as many Australian jobs as we can but— (Time expired)