TREASURER:
Well as Australians go to the polls today, I ask them to think carefully about the future of our country, about our economy, about job prospects for their children, about the business prospects which will create the wealth to fund hospitals and health over the next decade. This is an important decision for Australia and for every Australian to take part in and I approach this election with a great seriousness about what is at stake for the future of our country and the future of our children and I ask people to very carefully consider our future - whether we keep going in the right direction and strengthen our economy and make the best country in the world even better.
JOURNALIST:
Did you get much sleep last night?
TREASURER:
I had a good sleep last night, I am pleased to say, and looking forward to a good day today.
JOURNALIST:
Hearty breakfast?
TREASURER:
The breakfast was light and it took quite a bit of exercise before it too.
JOURNALIST:
Election campaigns are pretty tough - is it a relief that it is over?
TREASURER:
I find during an election campaign that it is really a great privilege to go around Australia - I have been to every state to campaign and to meet Australians and to talk to them about the issues and I actually find it enormously energising. In fact, I wish these election campaigns could keep going for weeks and weeks and weeks but I know that people want them to come to an end.
JOURNALIST:
What is the mood that you have detected in the electorate?
TREASURER:
I think as people have got closer to election day they have been thinking more carefully about the choice that is before them, about the issues that are at stake. I think the issues are becoming clearer - particularly in relation to economic management. During the course of this campaign we are the only party that has talked about employment, about helping business to create wealth, to generate the revenue for good health and good education. And I think as people get closer to election day that choice is becoming starker and clearer and in the key areas of Australia the differences are really becoming quite stark and I hope people very carefully consider those issues.
JOURNALIST:
What is on for the rest of the day?
TREASURER:
For the rest of they day I will be visiting all of the election booths in my electorate - this is the first one I have visited today, where I will be voting, and then I have got another 37 to visit. Thanks.