Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I, again, thank Senator Bushby for his question. The prosperity that we are enjoying today is as a result of the decisions that have been made in the past. Of course, the previous government took Australia's prosperity for granted. They thought that no amount of additional tax, no amount of additional red tape, no amount of attacks on successful people across Australia would do any harm to our economy. Of course, they were wrong.

They left a situation where our economy was growing below trend, unemployment was rising, consumer confidence was low, business investment had plateaued and our budget was in very bad shape, with an unsustainable spending growth trajectory. Here they are now, trying to stand in the way of a government that is working hard to build a stronger economy, to create opportunities for everyone to get ahead. Quite frankly, they still cannot face up to the mess they left behind; they still cannot take responsibility. The sooner they do, the sooner they change their attitude, the better it will be for— (Time expired)