Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

As the senator knows, this government has steered the Australian economy through a global financial crisis. That did include putting stimulus into the economy. If those opposite want to oppose that, they can explain to Australians why they think more people unemployed and an economy in recession is good economic management. They can explain that to Australians, because it is absurd.

In reaction to the 2012-13 budget I make this point: we have been up-front with the Australian people that, given what is happening to revenue and given what is happening to nominal GDP, a surplus is unlikely, and we will not cut spending to offset revenue downgrades if that would—