Senator BRANDIS (Queensland—Attorney-General, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:56): Senator Ketter, at last—a policy question! I can always rely upon you, Senator Ketter, as a good Villanova man, to ask a decent question—unlike your colleagues. You are certainly a class above most of those who sit beside you! I am advised by Senator Cormann that when the Treasurer made the remarks, which I myself have not seen, to which you have referred, he was merely echoing the remarks of the Governor of the Reserve Bank. But since you have raised the broader question of economic policy, it gives me the opportunity— Senator Wong: It's monetary policy! Senator BRANDIS: Would you stop interrupting, please, Senator Wong? It gives me the opportunity to remind the Senate of the very great achievements of the Turnbull government in the field of economic policy. The PRESIDENT: Order, Attorney-General. A point of order, Senator Wong? Senator Wong: Mr President, on direct relevance. The question is about the Treasurer's statement about monetary policy. The PRESIDENT: I do believe the Attorney-General answered the question up-front. Senator BRANDIS: Monetary policy is an aspect of economic policy, Senator Wong, as you know. But being Australia's most unsuccessful finance minister, perhaps you do not even know that! So, Senator Ketter, in the last year our economy has created 180,000 new jobs—180,000 new jobs!—directly as a result of the Turnbull government and the administration of the Treasury portfolio by Mr Scott Morrison. During that time, Senator Ketter, since you cared to ask about economic policy, our economic growth has been 3.3 per cent, an extraordinary rate of economic growth— The PRESIDENT: Order! A point of order, Senator Wong? Senator Wong: Mr President, he has eight seconds and this is on direct relevance. There was only one question: 'I refer to the Treasurer, who says that monetary policy has exhausted its effectiveness, and reports which indicate the Treasurer opposes the RBA making further interest rate cuts. Is this the government's position?' Senator Cormann: That isn't what the Treasurer said. Senator Wong: I take the interjection from the Minister for Finance that that is not what the Treasurer said. If that is the government position, the Leader of the Government in the Senate should talk about that. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Wong. I did hear the Attorney-General say at the commencement of his answer that the Treasurer was merely echoing the Governor of the Reserve Bank, which I think answered the question that was asked. Senator BRANDIS: So that rate of economic growth of 3.3 per cent is the envy of the world. It is fast— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Ketter, a supplementary question.