QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator HUME (Victoria) (14:58): Minister, under Labor, government spending is growing at its fastest rate, outside of a recession, in nearly 40 years. Every credible economist will tell you that government spending is adding to inflationary pressure, forcing the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates higher for longer. When this was pointed out to the Treasurer, he said that those economists were making political comments.

Minister, why won't the Prime Minister hold this treasurer responsible for the fact that his spending is making the Reserve Bank's job harder? (Time expired)