Abetz, Sen Eric

Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:05): Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Last night's budget told us the government intends to legislate to increase by $50 billion the Commonwealth's debt ceiling from $250 to $300 billion. Can the minister explain why a government that claims to be delivering surpluses in each of the next four years needs to put another $50 billion on the national credit card limit, thereby potentially putting every Australian man, woman and child up to $13,000 in debt?