Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance) (14:04): Senator Macdonald is an outstanding senator for the great state of Queensland. He has done an outstanding job serving the people of Queensland in this place. Of course, Senator Macdonald and I have stood shoulder to shoulder working to abolish the Labor-Green carbon tax, which was hurting people right across Australia, which was hurting people across regional Queensland, which was hurting people in regional communities right across Australia. We have taken that burden off the shoulders of families, pensioners and small businesses right across Australia. When it comes to the excise on fuel, we have very transparently put forward the position of the government. We have explained how we are going to give effect to that position. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Cameron on a point of order. Senator Cameron: Mr President, on a point of order, I asked specifically about Senator Macdonald's comments that the petrol tax would increase the cost of living and is bad for people in regional Australia. I am simply trying to find out from the minister whether it will increase the cost of living and whether he agrees with Senator Macdonald that it is bad for people in regional Australia. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, the only question was, 'Is Senator Macdonald correct?' The minister has 15 seconds left to answer the question. If there were a bit more quiet on my left I would be able to hear the entirety of the answer. Senator Cormann, you have the call. Senator CORMANN: I understand the political point that Senator Cameron is trying to make. On this side of the chamber, unlike in the Labor Party, individual senators are actually entitled to their views. They are entitled to act in accordance with their views. Of course, the government have been very transparent about our views. (Time expired)