Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Twenty-seven years ago, Senator Brandis. It is a long time, and I know that it would be hard for you, looking at me now, to think that that might ever have been the case.

Senator Dastyari interjecting—

You have got no expertise here, can I say to you, Senator, because you were about five the last time your mob delivered a surplus. You cannot have an enduring economy unless you produce a surplus. A surplus is that amount of money that is left after you have done what you have had to do, excluding borrowings. And do you know what happens when a nation turns in surpluses and it has its budget in order, just in the manner that we are doing? You employ people. It constantly surprises me that the Labor Party has turned into an anti-job political franchise. When you make money, when you have surpluses and the receipts of the nation are strong, we invest them—just as we had done, despite the economic conditions, with a $50 billion infrastructure program. They tell me that that is just about seven Snowy River schemes, relatively. And what does that do? That puts money into the economy. That creates jobs—J-O-B-S. Those jobs then start to get into the micro-economies of our country. They create more employment. There is more investment. And do you know what happens with more investment? You need more jobs. So one thing the Labor Party can no longer do is to lecture this side of the House in relation to employment opportunities. Everything we are doing—the free trade agreements, the abolition of the carbon tax, the introduction of 335,000 additional jobs—

Opposition senators interjecting—

That got a squeal out of you then, because not one of you have mentioned it, and I will bet you a carton of stubbies, Senator—through you, Mr Deputy President—or a carton of anything you drink that you will not—

Senator Lines interjecting—

No, I have been caught before; I had to pay for an airfare to somewhere or other, when I told him to go and deal with the Ebola scheme; that cost me five grand! I am happy to do this. I bet you that not one of you mentions the impact of all those additional jobs on this economy in our term of government.