Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

It is a problem in this place, in relation to the way in which questions are put and conduct occurs, when statements are taken significantly out of context. I do reject the premise of this question. In doing so I note very much that the Prime Minister at the time, if my memory is correct, was noting that in countries like Australia—

Which indeed is what makes the right of all to protest in this country a safer one and should be a safe one, unlike in so many other parts of the world so tragically. That shows in terms of the context of this question the extent to which those opposite seek to take the low road in politics. We on this side note the appalling absence of questions related to policy from those opposite.

We are proud as a government to be leading a country that has achieved some of the lowest fatality rates from COVID-19, some of the highest vaccination rates in relation to COVID-19 and some of the strongest economic outcomes in managing through this disaster and challenge. We're proud as a government to have seen some 700,000 jobs come back from the worst stages of the COVID-19 economic hit and to see record numbers of apprenticeship commencements occurring as a result of our policies. These are the types of policies those opposite could choose to ask about but don't ask about, because they choose to make it personal and they choose to take the low road. (Time expired)