The Ngunnawal and Ngambri people were telling stories and living under law on this country in time immemorial, and I want to pay my respects to their elders past and present, thank them for caring for this beautiful place we are all so lucky to walk on and work on – and extend my respects to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here tonight.

And thanks Duncan [Johnston, Chairman Political Book of the Year Awards], that’s a very kind introduction.

Delegates and friends – thank you for that characteristically kind Queensland welcome.

The Prime Minister and I have been right around Australia this past week, but there’s no place we’d rather finish up than here on the Sunny Coast. 

Good morning, everybody and thank you for having me out west and for showing up in such incredible numbers for a conversation this morning about the Budget and the economy more broadly and the crucial role that WA will continue to play in both.

Can I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of these lands, their culture and customs –

And by thanking Professor Maskell (Duncan, VC University of Melbourne) for the kind introduction, and The Australian and The Melbourne Institute for the invitation.

Thanks Laura [Tingle] for your very kind introduction, and the Board and Maurice, for having me back at the National Press Club to speak for the sixth time, but the first time as Treasurer –

Carrying on an important tradition of fronting up the day after the Budget, to give you a broader sense of perspective behind, and beyond, the numbers.

Speaker, this is a responsible Budget that is right for the times and readies us for the future.

It delivers on the priorities of the Australian people, and it repays their faith in a new government.

Thanks very much Treasurer [Cameron Dick] for your generous introduction and for bringing us all together today. 

I was really happy to accept Cameron’s invitation – as a fellow Queenslander, as a colleague, but especially as a friend.

One of the first things I did when I was elected the Member for Rankin - which is the northern end of Logan City and a couple of the southwestern suburbs of Brisbane - was go and see the then-head of the RDA, because I do really appreciate the role that you have played and that you are playing.

Can I begin by acknowledging the elders, customs and traditions of the Ngunnawal, the Ngambri, and all of the First Nations people of Australia.

And by saying what an absolute pleasure it is to welcome you, Minister Sri Mulyani – Ibu Sri – and your colleagues back to Canberra.

I acknowledge, as I think all of the speakers have, the Ngunnawal and the Ngambri people, the elders, customs and traditions.

And I'm proud that First Nations ideas have been such a central part of what we've been discussing the last couple of days.