In the face of the global financial crisis, the Rudd Government acted quickly in implementing a stimulus package which kept Australia out of recession and saved thousands of jobs.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has criticised the stimulus package, saying Australia should have followed New Zealand with a smaller stimulus package. He said: “They seem to be doing pretty well.”

But the New Zealand economy fell into recession and is still 2.9% smaller than it was at the end of 2007.

Unemployment in New Zealand is at a ten-year high of 7.3%.

By contrast, the Rudd Government’s actions have seen our economy grow by 2.4% since the end of 2007, with unemployment down to 5.3%.

Even the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is aware of the difference. He said: “Our vision is to close the gap with Australia by 2025.”

If Tony Abbott had been running the Australian economy during the global recession, instead of being the one advanced country not to have gone into recession, Australia would have been in the same difficulties as New Zealand – or worse!

Tony Abbott is a risk to our economy and jobs.