Shane Ross (Independent)

I wish to ask him a question on a serious point, however. Senator Hannigan touched on this matter. The ESRI report which came out this morning and from which many people can take some political comfort, especially on the Opposition side of the House, is alarming in one way. I do not wish to go into detail now but I seek a debate on the matter. The overall figures that were produced are in marked contrast to the forecast produced by the Government only two weeks ago. In every single case they are more pessimistic than the figures produced by the Government. I do not refer to the growth rate alone but also to employment, housing and many other figures which are benchmarked figures for the economy.

Given that the ESRI has produced figures today which are pessimistic compared with what we received from the political sources, one wonders, not necessarily whether the books have been cooked, but whether they have been pushed in a certain direction for the sake of the budget just two weeks ago and which will have to be revised quickly. That is quite dangerous.