Mr BEAZLEY (2:10 PM) —My question is to the Prime Minister. If the government will not release any research into the impact of its extreme industrial relations changes, why should the Australian people believe the Prime Minister’s claims about the economic benefits of these changes given that the following experts have cast doubt on his claims: Professor Mark Wooden, Professor Richard Freeman, Fred Argy, Professor John Quiggin, Professor Stephen Deery, Professor David Peetz, David Barton and Saul Eslake? And that is before you even get to the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, the World Bank and the ILO.

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —The World Bank! Before I reply to the question asked by the Leader of the Opposition, could I also have indulgence to add to something in the answer given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to Abu Bakar Bashir. I would like to place on record my appreciation and, I think, the appreciation of all members of the House for the very patient and effective diplomacy that the minister has brought to that particular issue.

My response to the Leader of the Opposition is to say that one of the reasons the Australian people should believe us is that over the last 9½ years the claims that we have made about the efficacy and effectiveness of our policies have been dramatically proved. They have been very successful.