STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr PIKE (Bowman) (13:45): It's always been the great promise of this country that every generation could pass onto their children a nation that was stronger and more prosperous. Unfortunately, under this government, this potentially will be the first generation not able to do that. Under Labor, Australians have suffered the biggest fall in living standards across the developed world.

Under Labor, the RBA is forecasting that productivity will take eight years just to get us back to the levels that we had them at when we were last in government. You might recall the three-day talkfest that occurred in this building when the government last year tried to tackle the productivity challenge. The Treasurer said in an interview at the time: 'Productivity is the main game here.

We've got our eyes on the prize. We've got a big productivity agenda.' He noted in his closing press conference: … higher living standards is the holy grail, and a more productive economy is how we deliver it. Twelve months on, how is the government going on this big challenge?

How are they going in seeking that holy grail? Productivity has gone further backwards. Australians are working harder but falling further and further behind.

Our country desperately needs change. The coalition has a plan to deliver that change by fixing our economy and protecting our way of life in a way that we can lift productivity and rebuild Australian living standards.