QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:10): I'm asked about employment and then a usual sledge at the end of the question, so I'll address them in order. This government has the lowest unemployment rate of any government in 50 years. I note that, in the question, that was acknowledged by saying it was the highest unemployment rate in five years—since they were on the Treasury benches.
What we have sought to do each and every day is to prioritise employment growth, which is why, on our watch, 1.3 million jobs have been created. I'm asked about people in politics keeping their job. The Guardian has reported: Some Liberals privately concede Taylor is faring no better—and possibly performing worse—than the female leader he replaced.
A Liberal MP told the Australian: We're struggling. If you're the third party in a two-party preferred system, that's a problem. You think?
Honourable members interjecting— Mr ALBANESE: Because the Treasurer is doing a great job. This is what those opposite say about who's going to lose their jobs. A Liberal MP told the Guardian: One Nation now controls the Liberal agenda.
Another senior Liberal MP has said: … the only joy is that the National Party would die before us. There's optimism for you on that side, Mr Speaker! Then another Liberal MP told the media: 'I don't think the federal president, Tony Abbott, is doing Angus Taylor any favours at all.
It's becoming a weakness for him.' Another on the same theme: Every time Tony opens his mouth, it's as if he speaks for Angus in the party. That's even disturbing the guys in the hard right. So they come in here in their tactics committee— Mr ALBANESE: The former leader—remember her?—the former member for Farrer, said this: On the day the leadership spilled in February, the new leader said the Liberal Party needed to "change or die" … the result in Farrer demonstrates that statement needed to be far truer today than it ever was then.
They come in here, and they don't ask serious policy questions, because they're too busy struggling to keep this bloke going.