MPs return during first sitting week of new Liberal leadership
The first question of question time came from Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, who asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese whether he would take responsibility for falling living standards compared to other countries.
The Prime Minister started by attacking the Coalition for not asking questions about the economy in the last two sessions, then angered Shadow Chancellor Tim Wilson for making a comment from Billy Joel. We Didn’t Start the Fire Attacking Treasurer Jim Chalmer’s budget management just before question time began, Chalmer described it as “a civil rights issue for anyone who has to listen.”
Albanese said, “They are always pulling Australia down. Australia, whose economic growth is faster than Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, England or the USA. England and Germany have recently experienced recession. Mr. President, the unemployment rate in Australia is lower than Canada, France, Italy, England and the USA.”
“We have stronger employment growth than Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US. Participation rates are higher than Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and the UK, and unlike the G7 countries, Australia’s budget has been in surplus in recent years.”
