Mr SWAN (Lilley—Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer) (14:12): I thank the shadow Treasurer for that question, because we always have good conversations about good public policy in our caucus, and we certainly had a good discussion yesterday. I think everybody in our caucus is absolutely proud of the fact that Standard & Poor's has reaffirmed our AAA rating—our gold-plated AAA rating—with a stable outlook. Think about that for a moment. There are only seven countries that have that rating. Mr Dutton: Thanks to the Howard government. Mr SWAN: There was an interjection from over there saying, 'Thanks to the Howard government'. This is the first time in our history that we have had the AAA gold-plated rating from the three major rating agencies, not something achieved by those on that side of the House—never. Mr Hockey: Madam Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: he is giving an entirely different answer to the question that was asked. I asked about his own Labor MPs asking where the money was coming from. Mr Albanese: If it is the case that the opposition objects to the member or any minister responding to interjections, perhaps they should just not interject. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms AE Burke ): The Treasurer has the call. Mr SWAN: I am directly answering the question, because our AAA rating goes to the core of our fiscal discipline, which has been recognised by the rating agencies—indeed, cited by the rating agencies for their reaffirmation of our gold-plated AAA rating. Those opposite do not even understand that most basic fact. When we moved to support our economy during the global financial crisis, to support jobs and small business, we put in place fiscal rules to bring our budget back to surplus when growth returned to trend. And that is what the government has been doing. During that time, based on our Labor values, we have found room for Labor priorities, such as paid parental leave and a big increase in the pension, by making savings. We have done all of that in the face of very large revenue write-downs, to the tune of $150 billion. We have done all of that and we will continue to adhere to our fiscal rules as we make room for Labor priorities. We have done the hard work to find the savings. But there we saw again this morning, once again on breakfast television—but this time he was on his own— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I see the Manager of Opposition Business rise on a point of order. The Treasurer will return to the question before the chair. Mr SWAN: I was asked about savings and I have said very clearly that the government will find the savings to fund Labor priorities. I am drawing the very clear contrast with the shadow Treasurer who, on breakfast television, admitted again this morning there was a $70 billion crater in the Liberal Party's bottom line. Opposition members interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Treasurer will return to the question. Mr SWAN: For our part, we in the government will continue to implement responsible fiscal policy, making the savings to fund Labor priorities in difficult environments, because that is what we do. We understand the importance of both good economic management and putting in place Labor priorities. (Time expired)