Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance) (14:00): What I will rule out is a continuation of the unsustainable spending growth trajectory that Labor put Australia on. What I can rule out is a continuation of the policies of the previous government which contributed to a weakening of the economy, rising unemployment and a budget position which was rapidly deteriorating, taking us to government debt of 122 per cent as a share of the economy within just a couple of decades. That is of course that trajectory that none other than the failed former finance minister— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Moore, a point of order? Senator Moore: Direct relevance, Mr President. Can the minister rule out cuts to health and hospitals? The PRESIDENT: Minister, I will remind you of the question. You have 21 seconds in which to answer the question. Senator CORMANN: Thank you very much, Mr President. As Senator Singh knows, the budget will be delivered on the second Tuesday in May, and what I can say to Senator Singh is that— Opposition members interjecting— Senator CORMANN: Senator Singh asked me about what I can rule out. I can rule out a continuation of the disastrous trajectory that the worst finance minister in Australia's history put Australia on, a trajectory that— (Time expired)