It is a pity someone would not call on the Leader to have a debate on political irony having listened to Senator Byrne whose party was part of the last Government which oversaw the destruction of so many jobs about which he now proclaims to be so worried.

I stood before the people on policies which were rejected by the electorate which the Government has now adopted.

It is a pity he was not as worried then as he is now when he supported the last Government in overseeing the destruction of the economy.

I would very much welcome a debate on the achievements of the Government, in particular the Labour Party. Perhaps we will ask the Leader to facilitate such a debate to talk about the signs of recovery in the economy which the Government is overseeing, including the return of confidence, the reduction in interest rates on international lending and several other signs of steady and solid progress. Perhaps Senator Byrne would stop his shroud-waving and celebrating bad news every time an announcement is made.

I am trying to get the focus on employment.

It does not do anything to inspire confidence in our fragile recovery and perhaps he should show a bit of political maturity and responsibility.

If Deputy Shortall does not, how does the Senator expect us to?