QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:29): I thank Senator Dowling for that supplementary as well. As Senator Dowling outlines in his question, the IMF's World Economic Outlook is clear that global outlook is fragile, and the conflict in the Middle East is pushing up inflation right around the world.

We are not immune from those pressures, but we are in a good position to meet those challenges. Annual growth in Australia was strong or stronger than every major advanced economy—equal to the US and stronger than the rest: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK. Australia's gross debt is a fraction of that carried by other major advanced economies.

We've delivered the lowest average unemployment of any Australian government in 50 years, and in an uncertain global environment, responsible economic management remains the best way to support Australians. We're doing that through tax cuts, more medicines on the PBS and cheaper medicines with your scripts each month, the Medicare urgent care clinics, the bulk-billing investment and a pay rise for care workers.

There is more to do. (Time expired)