Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Finance, Special Minister of State and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:00): I fully reject that characterisation. I refer Senator Wong to the statement that was issued by the Business Council to the Senate: We believe that a reduction in the corporate tax rate, as proposed through the Government's enterprise tax plan, is urgent and vital to keep Australia competitive— and, of course, further— If the Senate passes this important legislation we, as some of the nation’s largest employers, commit to invest more in Australia which will lead to employing more Australians and therefore stronger wage growth as the tax cut takes effect. Now, that is economic orthodoxy: businesses investing more. That is, of course, precisely what we want to achieve by reducing our business tax rate and making it more competitive globally. It will lead to more jobs and higher wages. Don't take my word for it; that is what Bill Shorten used to say day in and day out when he was the Assistant Treasurer. He used to make that point day in and day out, and, of course, it is true. I refer you to Bill Shorten's very concise quote: Cutting the company income tax rate increases domestic productivity and domestic investment. More capital means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages. That was from Bill Shorten, as the Assistant Treasurer, in the House of Representatives, 23 August 2011. I could not have put it better myself. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cormann, please resume your seat. Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: Point of order on direct relevance: I asked about what has been revealed today in relation to the Business Council of Australia's changed letter to senators. I also seek leave to table the document which demonstrates the commitments that Australian business was not prepared to make. The PRESIDENT: Is leave granted? Leave is granted. On the point of order, Senator Wong, you did also ask 'how can the minister claim'—I believe those were your words. I think the minister is being directly relevant to the answer. Senator CORMANN: As I've said on the record on a number of occasions now, I believe that the commitment that was made by the most senior business leaders and the biggest employers across Australia is very significant. If the Senate passes this business tax cut proposal in full, they'll invest more, which will lead to more jobs and, of course, will lead to stronger wages growth. That is what the Labor Party used to believe. The only reason they don't believe it now is to do with politics, not with policy. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, a supplementary question.