Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Exactly the point, Senator Sherry. I have my bank statements, and I was able to trot them out at the last election. My younger staff members would not believe that I paid 17 per cent interest. I was able to produce for my younger staff members and also for the TV cameras my bank statements which clearly showed that I was paying 17 per cent interest in the Hawke-Keating years, and I still have those bank statements. But, unfortunately for Senator Sherry, John Howard was Treasurer between 1978 and 1983. I purchased my house in 1978, and I can show you the bank statements, Senator Sherry. I never paid 18.2 per cent interest, as you alleged in your speech. Senator Sherry, I think you should stand up at the end of this debate and apologise for misleading the Senate—I will not say lying to the Senate—with your allegation about the interest rates that homeowners were paying when John Howard was Treasurer. I have the actual evidence.