Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:12): It's funny but the last two days I have received questions from the opposition about whether there wouldn't be any new coal-fired generation investment under the policies of the NEG. Now, of course, we're getting questions going in the opposite direction. The Labor senators seemed to be asking, 'Why won't there be?' Now they're saying, 'There will be.' Of course, every entity is entitled to its opinion. Senator Jacinta Collins: On a point of order, the minister is mischaracterising the question. The question is: is the academy correct? The PRESIDENT: You have reminded the minister of the part of the question. I'm listening carefully. He has a minute and 34 seconds remaining to answer. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Thanks, Mr President. I'm not sure whether the Labor Party understands, but the National Energy Guarantee is a technology-neutral approach. It doesn't pick winners. Indeed, just as the ACCC's recommendations are technology-neutral in their approach, there is a premium put on reliability that relates to the dispatchability of energy. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on a point of order. Senator Wong: We actually didn't ask about the NEG. I know he wants to talk about that. We asked a question about a report which states that coal-fired power won't reduce the cost of electricity nor reduce emissions and whether that statement was correct. That was the only question asked. I ask the minister to return to the question. The PRESIDENT: You have reminded the minister now of the full question. He has a minute and nine seconds remaining to answer. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Thanks, Mr President. It is up to the energy market to deliver the lowest cost energy for households. Whether that is thermal generation using coal or gas, whether that is storage, whether that is renewable energy generation, what we want to see put in place are market conditions to get the lowest cost generation for Australian households and businesses. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Collins on a point of order? Senator Jacinta Collins: The minister is deliberately flouting convention in the Senate and avoiding answering the question. Twice now you have reminded him of what the question is, and he continues to address quite a different matter. The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, with respect, I have been listening very carefully to the minister's answer subsequent to the points of order that were raised. I do believe he is being directly relevant to the question. I cannot instruct him how to answer a question as long as he is directly relevant to all or part of the question asked. Senator Birmingham. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Those opposite asked the question: is the academy correct in saying that coal would not provide for lower prices? That's their analysis. What I'm saying is the role of this government and the intent of this government is to have policies in place that give the lowest-cost energy generation for Australians whilst ensuring it's reliable, whilst ensuring we meet our international obligations. That is precisely what we're getting on with doing. That's what we've done in a range of energy reforms to date that are already bringing down prices. It's what we'll continue to do through the National Energy Guarantee and through our responses to the ACCC review, all of which are about a technology-neutral approach, not picking winners but empowering the lowest possible prices for households. The PRESIDENT: Senator McAllister, a supplementary question.