I think that the more people look at the Labor response to the global financial crisis, quite frankly, the better it looks.
We kept Australia out of an economic recession that occurred right across the industrialised world and there are hundreds of thousands Australians who kept their jobs directly because of the action.
I think, quite frankly, some of the childish commentary from members of the government over programs like the building the education revolution, which not a single school, Catholic, public, independent, isn’t grateful for that investment, that built confidence when it was needed, is an example of, I think, a program that worked very well, whether it’s that or the major infrastructure investment that was made.
Whether it be on major projects like the regional rail link in Victoria, Gold Coast light rail, infrastructure that, today, people are riding on those trains, they’re riding on that light rail, they’re driving on their roads, like the Kempsey bypass in the Pacific highway.
They are working and participating in community activities in the 5,500 local government projects that went ahead in my portfolio under the regional and local community infrastructure program.
So I think in terms of the contrast between the then opposition’s actions at that time, who forced more than 40 divisions at night, including third reading divisions to oppose the economic stimulus plan, contrast with Labor’s approach, which is constructive, which is positive, which is putting the national interest first. We’ll continue to do so.
I look forward to continuing to have discussions with Scott Morrison and my shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is continuing to talk with Josh Frydenberg.
We have Tony Burke and Katy Gallagher as managers of opposition business to talk about how parliament proceeds next week.
This isn’t a time for partisan politics. This is the time to put the national interests first. We will continue to do so.
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