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 Senator Hume for the question. I think all of those opposite need to go and see a doctor because I think they have the worst case of corporate and political amnesia that I have ever seen. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, I'd love to call you. I'm just waiting for your colleagues in particular to recognise that you're standing and to give you the silence you deserve. Senator Henderson: President, point of order on reflecting on all senators on this side: given it's dementia week, given the many implications of what the senator has said— The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, there was no particular reference to any particular senators. Minister Gallagher. Senator GALLAGHER: I withdraw if it makes question time run more smoothly. But the point I was making is that there seems to be no memory of when those opposite were in government, when inflation in the quarter that they left government was the highest that we have experienced in inflation growth. Senator Birmingham: But lower than in other countries. Yours is higher. Senator GALLAGHER: Well, thank you, Senator Birmingham! Okay. So it was lower. Right. Senator Hume just drew the comparison with the United States. So do you, Senator Birmingham, accept that inflation peaked higher in the United States— Senator McKenzie: Ministers take questions! Senator GALLAGHER: Senator Birmingham shouldn't be disorderly and interject. I think the point that Senator Birmingham made well for me is that, when you use international comparisons to make a political point, as you've just done, it is important to understand the facts, which are that inflation peaked higher in the United States, and inflation peaked later and lower here. And it is a good thing that it peaked lower here, because of course, when you've got inflation, it hits households, and that's the point. And interest rates were higher in the US than they ever reached here. They are currently at 4.3 per cent; they were over five per cent in the United States. So inflation was higher and interest rates were higher. So, when you draw the international comparison, let's actually be upfront and honest. We have a lot going for us in this economy. We have inflation moderating, we have wages growing, we have a strong labour market— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, first supplementary?