Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance, Leader of the Government in Senate, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:05): I completely reject the premise of the question. Real wages growth is stronger today that it was in Labor's last year in government. And, indeed, we turned around the rapidly rising unemployment rate that we inherited from the Labor Party, with about 1.5 million new jobs created. Workforce participation is the second highest on record, female workforce participation is the highest on record and welfare dependency of the working-age population is the lowest it's ever been. But, of course, Australia is facing some global economic headwinds. We are dealing with some significant domestic economic headwinds, including, of course, significant drought in large parts of regional Australia, which is having an impact. And, yet, do you know what? The Australian economy continues to grow. We are in our 29th year of continuous growth. If we had adopted the policy prescriptions of the Labor Party—the socialist, high-taxing, antibusiness agenda that Labor took to the last election—the economy today would be weaker. Employment would be higher, and wages would be lower. (Time expired) Senator Wong: Mr President, on a point of order: the minister's microphone continued to operate well beyond the clock, and I ask that you bring that to the attention of those with the microphone. The PRESIDENT: You will note I was calling the minister to— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I was going to respond. I was calling the minister to order from the time the clock went to zero. You've made the point, which I'm sure the attendants with the microphones will— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Wong, on the point of order? Senator Wong: We're happy to have our questions go longer too. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, on the point of order? Senator Cormann: On the point of order: I was seeking to provide all of the relevant information in a way that was directly relevant to the question asked. The PRESIDENT: Order! It's going to be one of those days. Senator Wong, on the point of order? Senator Wong: On the point of order: if he ever outlined a plan to do something about low wages, we'd be happy to give him more time, but he still hasn't. We'll give you leave now. No plan. Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! On the point of order: I was calling the minister to order, as I do, when the clock hit zero. The point was made by Senator Wong. If there were less noise in the chamber, I am sure people approaching the clock would actually be able to hear my ruling. Senator McMahon.