Senator BRANDIS (Queensland—Attorney-General, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:41): Senator Farrell, what I can confirm is that last week Australia broke the world record for economic performance: 26 years of continuous economic growth without a recession. And since we began the day in the spirit of some bipartisanship, I think it is fair to say that the honours are shared between your side of politics and mine, although at the moment, us having, as it were, gone through the ribbon on the watch of a coalition government, I guess we get to receive the garland. But, nevertheless, Senator Farrell, what has achieved Australia's world-beating performance, the most successful economy in modern times, is that at critical times neither side of politics has shirked from the reform task. If we are going to continue for a 27th and a 28th year, and years beyond that, of economic growth, we must never shirk from the reform task, and that lies in the hands, more than any other group of people in this country, of those who sit in this Senate. One of the next stages of reform is the government's enterprise tax plan, Senator Farrell. By reducing the tax of small business and then medium business and ultimately businesses of all sizes— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Point of order, Senator Farrell. Senator Farrell: Mr President, I asked a very simple question, and I will repeat it: can the minister confirm that in the March quarter GDP grew by only 0.3 per cent with the annual growth falling to well below trend at 1.7 per cent—yes or no? The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Farrell. That is exactly the question you asked. Despite the fact the Attorney-General was very glowing with his remarks towards your side, he has not answered the question. I remind him of the question. Senator BRANDIS: The statistics are the statistics, Senator. The statistics that you quote I think are right, and what they show, Senator Farrell, is that the Australian economy continues to grow. The pace varies from time to time, because these are fluctuating indicators—of course there are—but the big story is that the Australian economy has grown for more than a quarter of a century, and the point I make to you, Senator Farrell, is that that is due to reform and governments with the spine to take up the reform task from one generation to the next. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Farrell, a supplementary question?