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

Two months ago the government delivered a budget to build a stronger economy, to create more jobs and to deal with the debt and deficit legacy that we inherited from the Labor Party. The budget that we delivered was designed to protect living standards on a sustainable basis into the future and it was designed to build opportunity and prosperity in the future.

Last week I was able to share with the Senate some relevant quotes from former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is held in very high regard by a whole number of us in this chamber. But today I thought I would choose some quotes that are a bit closer to the heart of people on the opposite side. On the weekend I came across this particular quote, and those opposite should listen:

So coming back to surplus is about making sure we help those people sitting around the kitchen table when they're figuring out how they will make ends meet.