David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise today to speak in the matter of public importance debate on the recklessly spending, high-taxing Rudd Labor government. It has been less than 24 hours since their latest budget was handed down, and over that period—we heard it this afternoon, we heard it earlier today during question time and we have heard it from most of the senior members of the Labor government—they have been crowing and pushing the message that they are paying off the debt, or at least getting back into surplus, three years earlier. They certainly make it sound to the Australian public as if they are paying off the debt three years early, but what they are talking about is bringing the budget back into surplus three years early. ‘Three years earlier than what?’ I ask.