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

I think the answer is that, if you look at the economic facts as opposed to the hysteria from Senator Brandis and others, you will see an unemployment rate which is relatively low by comparison with the rest of the world; you will see 960,000 jobs created since we came to government; you will see an economy 13 per cent larger than it was when we came to government; and you will see, as former Prime Minister John Howard said, that 'the Australian economy is doing better than most'. That is what you will see.

I would say to anyone who wants to listen to Senate question time and Senator Brandis: never believe the opposition when it comes to their ongoing criticism of the Australian economy. It is in their political interest to talk the economy down. It is always in their political interest to talk the economy down. (Time expired)