Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:48): When we came into government in 2013, we inherited a weakening economy, rising unemployment and a rapidly deteriorating budget position. We worked very hard for six years to turn that situation around— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left. Senator Keneally. Senator Watt. Senator CORMANN: to record workforce participation, a lower unemployment rate. I mean, your unemployment rate was heading to pass 6¼ per cent. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: Mr President, again, on a day we've had nearly quarter of a million Australians lose their job, bringing the numbers to 835,000 since March, I think people in this region deserve this minister answering the question rather than giving a political rant. The PRESIDENT: With respect, I am not sure. I think the minister, given the tone of the question, is actually being relevant; although I might add that I could barely hear him over my shouting for order. I will ask senators to remain quiet so I may rule on future points of order. Senator Cormann. Senator CORMANN: The people in Eden-Monaro, and in particular in Queanbeyan, who are quite close to what happens in Canberra, know the mess that you left behind—a weakening economy, rising unemployment and a rapidly deteriorating budget position. They know that we worked hard to turn the situation around and they know that we went into this crisis, which came to us from external factors, in a comparatively stronger position because of the work that we've done over the last six years. Indeed, they know that we will continue to make the responsible decisions moving forward to ensure that every Australian has the best possible opportunity to get ahead. (Time expired)