Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance) (14:39): That is a very good question. The Labor Party wants to force us to continue to borrow from our children and grandchildren to fund our living standards today. Running deficits to fund consumption is a bit like putting some of your groceries on your credit card and not paying off your credit card, just running it up. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: We will not continue unless there is silence. Senator Conroy, for your information you are one of the loudest contributors. You have a question further down the list. We might not get to you if this continues. Senator Conroy: You'll take away our third question for the whole hour? Senator Heffernan interjecting— The PRESIDENT: No, I am not doing anything; it is you holding up question time. We will not commence until there is silence on both sides of the chamber—and that includes you, Senator Heffernan. Senator CORMANN: Running deficits to fund recurrent expenditure is like a household borrowing money to pay for groceries. That is what the previous government did, and if we do not get this situation under control then our children and grandchildren will have to pay the cost for our living standards today, with interest. That will force them either to pay higher taxes or to accept lower services down the track—there is no way around it. The money that is being spent by government today will have to be paid back eventually. (Time expired)