Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

With due respect—

No, you didn't—you threw it at me! You threw it at me in a—

An opposition senator: Did you read it?

Yes, I read it.

Well, again, I raise the question: what's the point of you asking me questions when you already have the answer, and you've prepared the answer? The reality of the situation is that lots and lots of Australians are now facing mortgage stress. There's no doubt about it—we're not disputing that fact. We understand that ordinary Australians are facing it, particularly as a result of that decision earlier in the week by the Reserve Bank to increase the mortgage rates by 0.25 per cent. And I see that the banks have already been quick to implement that increase. But we understand the issues that Australians are facing and, as I said to you in just about every single question that I answered yesterday, we are trying to put downward pressure on inflation and the cost of living.

One of the ways, of course, we're doing that is by that budget surplus that— (Time expired)