SUBJECTS: Launch of Labor's Supporting Jobs Truck
CHRIS BOWEN:
Well over recent weeks we have seen that Mr Turnbull is very happy to run dishonest smear campaigns. Today, on debt, we have seen another example, another example of Mr Turnbull being willing to say anything or do anything to win the next election.
Now the facts of the matter are this: Australia is the fastest growing OECD economy in the world; we have the second lowest unemployment rate in the developed world; and Australia's debt is seven times lower than our nearest comparable economy.
So the facts of the matter are that Australia's stimulus package is working and that we have an appropriate and prudent level of debt. Mr Turnbull knows this is the case but he is also willing to run a dishonest smear campaign – he will say anything or do anything to win votes.
JOURNALIST:
Isn't this is a little cheeky to do this in the vicinity of Mr Turnbull's office?
BOWEN:
Well Mr Turnbull has made the claims about debt and deficit and we are more than happy to respond to him on his home turf.
JOURNALIST:
Does it indicate that in a sense the Government is prepared to say [Inaudible]…
BOWEN:
Well no we are outlining the facts. The facts as described by the IMF, the World Bank, the OECD and others. We are communicating those in a very clear way via the truck. Mr Turnbull launched his campaign in Perth today, which is fair enough, he is entitled to do that, we are launching ours here in Wentworth.
JOURNALIST:
What are you hoping to achieve? [Inaudible]
BOWEN:
You would need to put that question to the party organisation as to how many trucks there are.
JOURNALIST:
What are you hoping to achieve?
BOWEN:
Well we are having a discussion with the Australian people about our debt and deficit levels, about our economic growth levels, our unemployment levels. This is one way of communicating that message.
JOURNALIST:
…seems a bit of tit for tat… [inaudible]
BOWEN:
Well, I believe in modern political engagement. Parties can engage in that in this way. Mr Turnbull is entitled to have his truck but he should have facts on it, not erroneous claims.
JOURNALIST:
It's all a bit of fun?
BOWEN:
Well this is a serious thing. Our economic growth rate, our unemployment rate, but it can be communicated in ways other than set-piece, formal speeches. It can be communicated through things like this truck.
JOURNALIST:
What message are you trying to achieve?
BOWEN:
Well the message is this that our debt levels are appropriate, and more importantly, our economic growth levels are the highest in the OECD. Our debt levels are the lowest in the developed world and will be the lowest in the developed world. So it's a message about being prudent and supporting jobs through what is the worst economic crisis in the last seventy-five years.
JOURNALIST:
So are you worried about the effect that Mr Turnbull's truck will have?
BOWEN:
No, well Mr Turnbull is entitled to run his campaign. We are also entitled to point out that it is wrong, erroneous and fallacious.
Okay?