The federal government's unpopular budget is essential to restoring Australia's economic strength after years of Labor failures, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.
With the coalition struggling in the polls, Ms Bishop told the Liberal Party federal council that some people questioned the government's budget stance.
"Labor would have you believe that the last six years just never happened," she told delegates in Melbourne on Saturday.
"Yet we inherited a disaster from the previous government that was reckless, inexperienced and incompetent, a government that over six years squandered taxpayers' money, trashed the foundations of good government, indulged in a never-ending leadership soap opera and undermined business and investment and consumer confidence in this country.
"And Labor hopes that some sort of collective amnesia will sweep the country."
She said the architects of Labor's failed border protection policy remained senior Labor Party figures, while leader Bill Shorten and deputy Tanya Plibersek "are waiting there for their birthright to come back to them. They want to return to the front bench of government without learning one thing about the disastrous episode they imposed on the Australian people."
Ms Bishop said the coalition was elected to right Labor's wrongs.
"It's difficult. We have got to make some tough decisions, but we are determined to restore our budget, to restore our financial position so that Australia can be more resilient and can withstand the economic shocks that we fear lie ahead."
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