Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:17): I am not sure what that question actually was, because I think the question was that the latest Treasury estimates— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, continue. Senator WONG: Thank you. The senator referred to the latest Treasury estimates. The latest Treasury figures are the published budget figures, which do not include the figures that I think the senator was referring to. I remind him that, in terms of Australia's position, our public finances are in very strong shape. As I have said previously, during the break I had the opportunity to go to the APEC finance ministers' meeting, representing the Treasurer, and also to Washington prior to that, and it really did bring home to me how well Australia is doing on many fronts, certainly in terms of our growth figures, our unemployment figures and our investment figures. Senator Abetz: Self-praise is no praise. Senator WONG: This is something of which the country can be proud, Senator Abetz, of which the nation can be proud. We have come through a very volatile period of the global economy in a very good position. In terms of our public finances, Australia's net debt position peaks at about 9.2 per cent of GDP. The equivalent position for the United States is 83.7 per cent. Senator Ronaldson: Mr President, I raise a point of order on relevance. I asked the minister whether we are or are not heading for cumulative deficits of $100 billion over the forward estimates. It was a quite clear question. Yes or no? The PRESIDENT: The minister has 27 seconds remaining to answer the question. I do draw the minister's attention to the question. Senator Cormann interjecting— Senator WONG: In reality I think Senator Cormann should have asked this question. The reality is that the forward estimates project an underlying cash position of $1.5 billion in 2012-13; $2 billion in 2013-14; and $5.3 billion in 2014-15 et cetera, which are the figures that the government has published. They will be updated in the usual way in the MYEFO.