QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:39): I don't think that the figures I outlined to you match your question. In fact, what the figures I outlined suggest or indicate is actually that this is a very successful policy that has enabled Australians to get into the housing market to own their first home.

We think that's a good thing. I've also spoken about where people are in terms of arrears and in fact that this cohort, these Australians who have had the opportunity to get into the housing market, are actually performing slightly better than average when it comes to their repayments. So I find your question unnecessarily alarmist, and I think it really displays a philosophical position that you don't actually think government should be helping people enter the housing market.

The PRESIDENT: Senator McDonald, second supplementary?