Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I know I speak on behalf of all my colleagues on this side when I say that we are incredibly fond of former Treasurer Costello. I happened to work for him for the best part of eight years. Let me tell you something: he never once said over those eight years, 'You should listen to the Australian Labor Party on economic policy.' Not once. Interestingly, in the 14-plus years since he has been Treasurer, he has never offered to the community the view that we should listen to the approach of the Australian Labor Party.

The point that Mr Costello was making is one that we agree with, and that is: Labor governments increase debt. Labor governments lock in for the long term unsustainable spending and force coalition governments to bring the budget back into balance, which we will do.