Senator McGRATH (Queensland—Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) (16:29): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator McGRATH: When the coalition government was elected, spending as a share of the economy was rising to 26.5 per cent of GDP. In 2017-18, it is estimated to be 25.2 per cent and will fall to 25 per cent over the forward estimates. Average real growth in spending under this coalition government is lower than the average of each of the previous five governments, extending back almost 50 years. The coalition government has achieved this and is on track to achieve budget balance, in spite of Labor's resistance to sensible budget repair measures. Question agreed to.