QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:49): There is widespread support for the government's reforms. ACOSS, National Shelter, Everybody's Home and Better Renting all said the government's reforms will 'help reverse the stark decline in homeownership over the past 10 years'. NAB's chief economist said it would be owner-occupiers who are the winners from Labor reforms.

Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres, please resume your seat. Order! Mr Ayres, please continue.

Senator AYRES: If you step outside real participants and experts, you do find some other views, Senator Bragg, don't you? Senator Bragg said that Australians who support the government's approach here— The PRESIDENT: Minister Ayres, please reflect your answer to me. Senator AYRES: He said, President, that those Australians who support the government's approach don't have a brain.

That's what he said on radio—that Australians who support this government don't have a brain. Denigrating Australians is not the way to develop policy. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Walker, second supplementary.