QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr TIM WILSON (Goldstein) (14:18): My question is to the Treasurer. In Labor's budget, it was assumed the cost of government debt would be 4.8 per cent, yet it's already around 5.2 per cent for a 10-year bond, with the interest bill on government debt becoming the fastest growing line in the budget. Meanwhile, major banks and economists are predicting up to two further interest rate rises this year alone.

Will the Treasurer concede that his plan for higher debt and spending is forcing up interest rates?