Mr SWAN (Lilley—Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer) (14:17): I thank the shadow Treasurer for his question because it is very welcome. This is a very important topic for the national parliament to talk about. I wonder whether the shadow Treasurer stands by his statements that the mining industry has been taxed too high, or does he stand by all of his statements of last year that there should not be more taxation on the mining industry? Those on that side of the House have egg all over their faces, for one very simple reason: they have argued in this House that the mining companies pay too much tax, and now that the Western Australian Liberals want to increase their royalties they say that is just fine and dandy. The fact is that we on this side of the House stand for putting in place a decent resource taxation system which will provide funding to reduce taxes for companies— Government members interjecting— The SPEAKER: The parliamentary secretary—the Deane's buses timetable awaits. Mr Pyne: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: the Treasurer was asked a very serious question which contained no argument or debate. He has completely refused to even attempt to answer it. He is obfuscating and sliding around. I ask you to draw him back to the question. The SPEAKER: The Treasurer must be directly relevant to the question. An opposition member: Hear, hear. The SPEAKER: I appreciate the support, but one of the difficulties in adjudicating is that everybody wants to talk at once. Whilst the characteristic of the response would have been in order under the previous relevancy rule, it is stretching it that this is directly relevant. I ask the Treasurer to directly relate his material to the question. Mr SWAN: I was asked about royalties, I was asked about the taxation of iron ore fines compared to the lumps in Western Australia. I stand by all the statements I have made on this matter. The fact that we have got here is the acute embarrassment of both the Western Australian Premier and all of those on that side of the House who one year ago were arguing that we were taxing companies too much, and when the Western Australian Premier puts up his royalties they say that is just fine and dandy. When he does it in a way which is going to deprive Western Australians— The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will bring his response to a close. Mr SWAN: of vital infrastructure money, they say that is fine and dandy as well. They have deserted the people of Western Australia and the people of Australia. The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will conclude. An opposition member: Sat down by the Speaker! The SPEAKER: There will be plenty of people sat down when I get the chance to sit them down but if they could sit here quietly it would help and improve things a lot.