Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:29): I think there are some figures here which are apposite. Since this government came to office, the Australian economy has grown 11.2 per cent. By contrast, Germany—the strong economy of Europe—is 2.7 per cent larger, the US is 1.8 per cent larger, Japan has contracted and the UK has contracted by 4.2 per cent. You can come in here, Senator, and talk down the economy all you like, but the facts speak for themselves. In addition, since we came to office we have seen some 800,000 jobs created. Compare our unemployment rate with the unemployment rate in the eurozone, which is in excess of 11 per cent, or with the unemployment rate in the US. What those opposite cannot bear—and it says something about them—is the fact that the economy is growing, unemployment is lower— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Joyce is entitled to be heard in silence—as anyone else is. Senator Joyce: I raise a point of order on relevance. The question was about a Treasury-based study, which is quite explicit that we only got $1.20 value out of a $900 payment. The minister should be approaching the issue of her own Treasury paper, not some other peripheral data. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister is answering the question and has 51 seconds remaining. Senator WONG: I find it interesting that the senator thinks that jobs growth, low unemployment and the growth of the economy is peripheral data: 'We don't want to talk about jobs or the unemployment rate; that's peripheral data.' To Labor governments that is central data. That is the central issue that governments need to confront: how do you continue to grow the economy, grow jobs and secure prosperity now and in the future? I would also make this point: Treasury estimates, which have been publicly spoken about on many occasions, make clear that the stimulus package this government engaged in—opposed by those opposite—avoided the loss of 200,000 jobs. Senator Joyce may think putting 200,000 working families on the scrapheap is— (Time expired)