Page 749 - Week 02 - Thursday, 12 February 2009
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Recreation) (12:09): I think we have just had a bit of an insight into what a Young Liberals conference would be like—quite extraordinary. I am rising in support of the original motion, and I will be speaking against Mr Seselja’s amendment.
Mrs Dunne: So you don’t go to Young Labor anymore? You’re above that now, are you?
MR BARR: Young Labor ends once you turn 26. It would appear that the concept of “young” within the Liberal and National parties has extended somewhat into middle age, but perhaps there is an argument Young Liberals are born 40 anyway!
Mr Seselja: Are you middle aged, Andrew? Is that what you’re saying?
MR BARR: I am suggesting that if you consider “young” in the context of the National Party, I think they take their membership up to about 40.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Barr, return to the subject of the motion, please.
MR BARR: I will not be distracted, Madam Deputy Speaker. The importance of a stimulus package is recognised across the country and, indeed, across the world. One need only observe the responses of other national governments, most particularly in the United States, China, UK, Germany and the entire European Union, to know that pretty much every first world country with the capacity to undertake a significant stimulus to their economies is in the process of doing such work. This is largely as a result of a need to stimulate aggregate demand across the economy. Those opposite argue and have raised questions on what is the appropriate size of any stimulus.
Mr Seselja: We’re told by Katy that this is perfect.
MR BARR: That is an interesting economic debate.
Mr Hanson: Well, let’s have that debate.
MR BARR: One would presume that those who argue that the size of—
Mr Hanson: Kevin didn’t want the debate. You do!
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Stop the clock, please. All the way through Mr Coe’s presentation I noticed that he was given the respect of the house and people listened without interjection, apart from the point of order that Mr Stanhope took. Now we have a return to this disorderly behaviour from the opposition side of the house. This is the last time I am going to say it before I warn somebody: I want you to be quiet and listen to Mr Barr. Thank you very much. I know you find that amusing, Mrs Dunne, but I ask you to respect me in this, thank you. Mr Barr.
MR BARR: As I was saying, when you compare the size of the proposed stimulus package here in Australia as a proportion of gross domestic product to the packages that have already been passed in other countries, one sees that it is a relatively modest boost to aggregate demand.
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