Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:01): I thank Senator Chandler for the question, and I congratulate her on her appointment into the shadow finance portfolio. I congratulate the opposition for getting around to asking a question about the economy on day 3 of this sitting week. The opposition have never seen a set of economic data that they didn't want to come in here and bag—and talk down the Australian economy. That is their setting. That is their standard setting, as opposed— Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong? Senator Wong: I wonder if Senator Cash could perhaps just dial down the volume. The PRESIDENT: Is that a point of order? Senator Wong: Sorry, I apologise. A point of order—I wonder if Senator Cash could do us the courtesy of dialling down the volume. The PRESIDENT: The minister is entitled to be heard in silence. Minister Gallagher, did you wish to continue? Senator GALLAGHER: I did want to continue, yes. Thank you very much. In this data today we have seen the strongest economic growth across the economy, broad based growth, as explained by the ABS, in three years. I am surprised by Senator Chandler, who seems to be adopting the shadow Treasurer's hysterical language that he seems to want to use all the time. I am surprised that those opposite want to come in here and argue against defence spending, because that is essentially at the heart of the question that Senator Chandler has asked today—that those opposite, who supposedly want to spend more on defence, would come in here and criticise the public investment that we are making not only in defence infrastructure but also in consumption through the recruitment of additional staff to the Defence portfolio. It is clear—if you had read the national accounts—that defence and the state and territory governments' spending, primarily on health infrastructure, contributes to public demand in this national account. I am surprised, because I thought the opposition supported investment in defence— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Chandler, first supplementary?