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

I have repeatedly and consistently said that our investments are contributing to the economy continuing to grow, and you could see that from the national accounts. Anyone who has read the national accounts will have seen that public demand is a contributor to economic growth.

Now, on the point that Senator Hume makes around inflation, as I said, we inherited inflation with a six in front of it. It was increasing when we came to government. The decisions we have taken in every single budget to implement policies which actually put downward pressure on inflation, such as our investments in early education and care, our investments in rent, and our energy bill rebates, have all—and this comes from the ABS—put downward pressure on inflation. So the answer to that is no. The answer to the first question, 'Is public spending contributing to growth?' is: yes, it is. And I will continue to say that—