Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:11): I'm always bemused when I hear Labor senators selectively quote from a very important interview. Let me confirm for Senator Watt and for the Senate that, on this side of the chamber, we are committed to lower power prices. That is why we are not going to impose the carbon tax after the next election. We know that the Labor Party and the Greens— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: The point of order is direct relevance. The minister may complain about selective quoting, but the quote was his. He was the one that talked about putting on the table the big stick. The question goes to: what was he talking about? The PRESIDENT: You've reminded the minister of the question. I note he has been speaking for 28 seconds, and has one minute 32 remaining to answer. Senator CORMANN: Senator Wong, that wasn't really a big stick, I've got to say. Let me say for the Senate again: this is a government that is committed to bringing electricity prices down. Of course, if Labor and the Greens were successful at the next election, they would be pushing electricity prices up. Electricity prices would be higher for families and for business. It would hurt the economy. It would put jobs at risk. It would— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong on a point of order, I might anticipate? Senator Wong: He talks about a stick. He says it's big. We're just asking what it is. The PRESIDENT: I'll take that as an interjection. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I'll call the minister when there is some semblance of quiet. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has one minute four remaining to answer the question. Senator CORMANN: Thank you very much, Mr President. If Labor and the Greens got into government after the next election, not even a big stick could bring down electricity prices. That is the problem. On this side of the parliament, we are on the side of families, we are on the side of business, we are on the side of a stronger economy and we are on the side of those wanting to get a better opportunity to get ahead. If Senator Watt read my interview carefully, he would have seen that I said that as a last resort we are pursuing the divestiture powers that have been well and truly explained. You also know that the Minister for Energy is going through a consultative process to engage with stakeholders. Some of those stakeholders are not that enthusiastic about what the government is proposing to do as a last resort. Of course, when all these consultations have taken place, I'm sure Senator Watt will still be in favour of higher electricity prices, as supported by the Labor Party and the Greens, which would hurt families and business. The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, a supplementary question.