In the aftermath of the release of the Trichet letter - the contents should not come as a surprise to anybody - there will be further recollection of the events of the summer and autumn of 2010 when the country reached its lowest economic point in many decades. It should lead us to reflect on what caused the problems in the period from 2006 to 2010, which was not caused by Europe, it was caused by domestic political decisions taken in this country. I refer in particular to a deliberately fuelled property boom which then became bust.

Senator Bradford's party did not object to it.

Senator Bradford should be allowed to speak without interruption.

If I could be allowed, I will try to make a constructive point rather than a silly political point.

It is not a silly point.

Senator Bradford should be allowed to speak without interruption.

We must try to learn from past mistakes. Anybody who read one of the main banner headlines in one of yesterday's daily newspapers in which we were informed that the Government coffers are being boosted once again by a property boom should think carefully as to whether that is good or bad news.