Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

It would appear that Senator Smith wasn't listening to every single word I said in question time yesterday—I'm horrified! Out of everyone, Senator Smith, I expect you to. You're a man with the eye on the detail. I know that from appearing before you in estimates. But I think, if you go back and have a look at what I was saying, I was saying that the Treasury advice is that the cost-of-living package is expected to directly reduce inflation by three-quarters of a percentage point in 2023-24. I said it, in fact, in answer to your first question as well. So I think the answers given by Minister Wells are completely consistent with the answers that I gave yesterday. I said that it puts downward pressure in 2023-24, and across the forwards it is broadly neutral. That is the point that we have been making for the past two days. I would say— (Time expired)