Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance, Leader of the Government in Senate, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:35): The government's position is well known and well understood. We are committed to effective action on climate change and we are committed to a policy agenda which is environmentally effective and economically responsible. That is, of course, what we have been pursuing very successfully over the last 6½ years in government. Indeed, our commitment to an internationally agreed emissions reduction target has been consistent all the way through—through the Abbott government, the Turnbull government and now the Morrison government. Indeed, if you look at our— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Cormann! Senator McAllister, on a point of order? Senator McAllister: It goes to relevance. The question is whether or not the government accepts that climate change is man made. The PRESIDENT: That was part of the question, Senator McAllister. I think, with respect, Senator Cormann is being directly relevant to the question asked. Senator CORMANN: Just to again confirm the government's position: we are committed to effective action on climate change. If you consider our performance against the 2020 emissions reduction target agreed to in Kyoto, we are beating that target. We are one of only a handful of countries that are beating their Kyoto emissions reduction target. Indeed, we are on track to meet our 2030— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: It's on direct relevance, Mr President. I listened to your ruling earlier. The opposition would like some clarification on what the other aspects are of the question to which you believe the minister is being relevant. There was a reference to the deputy leader, then there was a quote and then there was a question about whether that statement reflects the government's position. I would ask you, Mr President, to indicate what are the other aspects of— An honourable senator interjecting— Senator Wong: I'm entitled to do this, thank you. I would ask you, Mr President, to advise the chamber as to what are the other aspects of the question to which you believe the minister is being relevant. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, on the point of order? Senator Cormann: On the point of order: I was asked a question about the position of the government in relation to climate change. I'm answering it in a manner that is directly relevant. The PRESIDENT: On the point of order: you're quite right, Senator Wong. You had a quote there from the minister at the time and then a question that related to the quote. With respect, I think the minister is being directly relevant to the quote and the question in the subject matter he is dealing with. I can't instruct him how to answer a question. I think what he's saying is directly relevant to the quote and the question. I'm happy to review the Hansard. If I'm wrong, I will say so and I will be happy to take submissions on it. People are seeking me to direct the minister on how to answer a question, which is outside my capacity. Senator CORMANN: As is well understood, the government absolutely accepts that climate change is a global problem that needs to be addressed in a globally coordinated fashion. Indeed, Australia, as part of the global community, is doing its bit to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is doing so in a way that is environmentally effective and economically responsible. Indeed, if you look at our commitment to 2030 on a per capita basis it means a reduction in emissions by 50 per cent. On the basis of our emissions per unit of GDP we are committed to a reduction of two-thirds, which is more ambitious than the European Union, Canada, New Zealand and many other countries. What matters here is the policy position of the government. The policy position is very clear. We are committed to effective action on climate change, and we will leave the theological arguments to the Labor Party and the Greens. The PRESIDENT: Senator McAllister, a supplementary question?