Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (14:59): If you want to look at a risk to the economy, a risk to jobs and a risk to wages, look over there on that side. That is where the risk to the economy, jobs and wages is. What about Labor's— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong on a point of order. Senator Wong: It's question time and the minister has gone directly to having a go at the opposition, which we're used to—we know that's their game plan—but the question is: how does cutting wages reflect a commitment to higher wages? Senator Cormann interjecting— Senator Wong: Well then, answer that question, Senator Cormann. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister was speaking for 11 seconds. I will give the minister a chance to continue a couple more sentences. Senator Payne. Senator PAYNE: As I was saying, this strong economy is what will deliver higher wages. Without a strong economy, you cannot deliver higher wages. I understand why this is unfamiliar territory for those opposite, because they don't have the experience in their term of office to have delivered that. And we know, even from the policies they have exposed so far, that they are promising $200 billion in higher taxes. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cameron, on a point of order. Senator Cameron: Mr President, this minister doesn't have a clue. What we've asked, simply, is: how does cutting penalty rates relate to higher wages? The minister should be drawn to the question. If she doesn't know, she should just say she hasn't got a clue. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, I recorded part of your question as saying, 'How does cutting wages reflect a commitment to higher wages?' I believe the minister is being relevant to that part of the question. She is talking about higher wages. Senator Payne. Senator PAYNE: Thank you. I'll tell you who doesn't have a clue, Mr President. Senator Doug Cameron doesn't have a clue. He doesn't have a clue about the impact that $200 billion of higher taxes will have on this country and on this economy. He doesn't have a clue about the impact of their big, new carbon tax, but independent modelling shows it will cost over 300,000 jobs. Senator Payne: Order! Senator Payne. Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question.