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

Senator Birmingham shouldn't be disorderly and interject. I think the point that Senator Birmingham made well for me is that, when you use international comparisons to make a political point, as you've just done, it is important to understand the facts, which are that inflation peaked higher in the United States, and inflation peaked later and lower here. And it is a good thing that it peaked lower here, because of course, when you've got inflation, it hits households, and that's the point. And interest rates were higher in the US than they ever reached here. They are currently at 4.3 per cent; they were over five per cent in the United States. So inflation was higher and interest rates were higher. So, when you draw the international comparison, let's actually be upfront and honest.

We have a lot going for us in this economy. We have inflation moderating, we have wages growing, we have a strong labour market— (Time expired)