Senator CAROL BROWN (Tasmania) (14:01): Yes, I do. Has the minister discussed the possible impact of these severe cuts to GST distribution on state and territory health systems with any of his state counterparts? If so, when and with whom? Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I will take Senator Cormann on a point of order. Senator Cormann: Senator Brown is asking a hypothetical question in relation to a matter that is not part of Senator McKenzie's portfolio. Senator Brown is well aware that I said yesterday that the government had not formed any view, that there is a draft report from the Productivity Commission which is yet subject to further consultation and that any changes to the GST sharing arrangements, if they were to occur, are of course subject to the agreement of all the states and territories. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, that's going to the substance of the question. I'm happy to rule on the question. Senator Wong? Senator Wong: Yesterday the Leader of the Government in the Senate had the opportunity to rule out changes to the GST. He did not do so. It is not a hypothetical, given he failed to do that. We are asking about the impact of the proposed cuts on health systems in Tasmania and South Australia. That is within her portfolio. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, I'm happy to rule on the point of order. The question began—I took in my notes with noise in the chamber—with, 'Has the minister discussed'. I understand that to be a question directly relevant to the minister's representative portfolio, because it asks about the action of a minister. The rest of it is a matter of political debate. The minister is free to address the political debate in her answer. Senator Brown, would you like to continue your question? I believe your question—have you concluded your question, or were you continuing it? Senator Kim Carr: Why don't you say— The PRESIDENT: Order! On my left! I'm asking one of your colleagues whether she would like to continue her question, because it was interrupted by a point of order. Senator Brown? Senator CAROL BROWN: I had finished my question.