Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:00): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As reflected in the national accounts, we have seen soft growth. In fact, it has been the decision of this government to not cut spending like those opposite want to do—$315 billion worth of cuts they have said they will implement in government—that has ensured that our economy keeps growing. It's actually those opposite that, if they were able to implement the policies that they have outlined to the electorate, want to see a recession in this country. We don't. That is why we have been making those sensible investments to help people with the cost of living whilst getting the budget in better shape by ensuring that we have had two surpluses. Those opposite weren't able to deliver one surplus in the decade that they were in government. They got the mugs printed, didn't they? That would get the Leader of the Opposition to his feet. Senator Birmingham: President, it's a point of order on direct relevance that gets me to my feet. The minister was asked a very narrowly worded question about how many quarters Australia has been in a per capita recession and, thus far, she has not mentioned 'recession', 'per capita' or even really 'economic growth'. Could you draw the minister to the question? The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, the minister has mentioned some of those words, but I will draw her to your question. Senator GALLAGHER: Certainly strong population growth and government spending and sensible government investments have ensured that our economy keeps growing. Those opposite are the only people in the country that would be sitting there waiting for the economic data to come out and wishing it to be worse than it actually is. Those opposite shattered on the day that interest rates held. They were shattered that that happened. Again, the national accounts showed that our economy continues to grow even in difficult times— Senator Cash interjecting— Senator GALLAGHER: like we are facing now with the inflation challenge that we inherited from those opposite—inflation with a six in front of it, Senator Cash, and on its way up—with inflation now moderating in welcome ways with a three in front of it. So our economic plan is working. We are pleased the economy continues to grow, and we will continue to focus on helping people with cost-of-living pressures. The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, a first supplementary?