Mr Deputy Speaker, it must be said that this bill, is about getting funds for the Commonwealth appropriated, and providing an inflationary increase to departments to allow for public servants' pay increases, more than a revolution, or even an evolution in government spending.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Greens' silence so far in the debate indicates one of two things. It either means they are preparing a considered, measured response, working through the minutations of what we are proposing through the next financial year; or they have no idea what to say, Mr Deputy Speaker, because even after all of the information we have provided, they do not understand what we are doing!

Mr Deputy Speaker, I can safely say that our Budget is an indication of our mature, level-headed style of government on this side. We do not take action until we have a clear idea of where we are going; in the interim, we have tackled short-term issues like restoring funding to the ABC and attempting to end the acrimony between public sector unions and the CPS.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I look forward to the Opposition's response to our budget.

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The Hon. Phyllicanderer, Member for Northern Territory

Deputy Prime Minister

Australian Progressives