Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance) (14:19): Two months ago the government delivered a budget to build a stronger economy, to create more jobs and to deal with the debt and deficit legacy that we inherited from the Labor Party. The budget that we delivered was designed to protect living standards on a sustainable basis into the future and it was designed to build opportunity and prosperity in the future. Last week I was able to share with the Senate some relevant quotes from former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is held in very high regard by a whole number of us in this chamber. But today I thought I would choose some quotes that are a bit closer to the heart of people on the opposite side. On the weekend I came across this particular quote, and those opposite should listen: So coming back to surplus is about making sure we help those people sitting around the kitchen table when they're figuring out how they will make ends meet. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator CORMANN: And then there is this one. You should listen very carefully: Returning to surplus also ensures we're not generating price pressures in the economy. Who do you think said this? It was none other than former Treasurer Wayne Swan. Wayne Swan might never have been able to get to a surplus—he might never have been able to reach the destination—but at least he was a believer. I believe that Mr Swan believed that a surplus was important. At least he understood that it was in the national interest for us to balance our books. He might not have been able to get there but Mr Shorten and Mr Bowen do not even believe that we should get to a surplus. They are just making a complete mess of it. The Rudd was badly managing money. The Gillard government was badly managing money. The Shorten opposition is more reckless than either of them.