Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:05): Well, the law is very clear on what the negative gearing arrangements are. They remain in place. An opposition member interjecting— Senator GALLAGHER: There is. There are legislative arrangements around negative gearing. But I would say that I understand that those opposite want to constantly talk about anything other— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume? Senator Hume: Madam President, on relevance, I didn't ask what the laws are. I asked what Labor's policy is. The PRESIDENT: I do appreciate that, and the minister had just got to her feet to begin to answer your question. So, Minister, please continue. Senator GALLAGHER: Well, I've answered the question. I understand the desire not to speak about what the changes we are bringing to the parliament are. I understand that. I've answered the question. We understand it. First you said you'd vote against it. Then you said you'd reverse it. Then you said you'd roll it back. Senator Birmingham interjecting— Senator GALLAGHER: I know it's uncomfortable, Senator Birmingham; it's very uncomfortable. The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham? Senator Birmingham: I have a point of order, and it goes to relevance on two fronts. I would contend that the minister has not answered the question. Senator Hume's very narrowly worded question focused on what the government's policy is, not what the law is. But I also point out that, if the minister believes she's answered the question, that's then not an invitation to use the residual time to talk about whatever she wants. The answer still needs to be directly relevant to the question asked. The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, did you have a point of order? Senator Wong: I was going to ask you to ask the Clerk for advice about whether or not the question of itself was in fact in order. The PRESIDENT: Yes. As the chamber would have seen, I did seek the advice of the Clerk, and the question is out of order, pursuant to standing order 73, because that says that you can't directly ask about specific government policies—for a statement of policy. So, the minister is quite within her rights to answer the question in whatever way she sees fit. Senator Hume interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I said standing order 73, Senator Hume, and I did seek the advice of the Clerk. Minister, please continue. Senator GALLAGHER: Thank you. And the policy that we have bought before the parliament is the income tax policy—the income tax policy that you wanted to call an election on, but now your are in support of it. Before that you said you were against it, before you even saw it. Then you were going to reverse it. Then you were going to roll it back. Then we saw the crab walking away when you realised, 'Oh, wait on: we've looked in the tea-leaves, and this isn't going so well', and you adopted it. And now you want to talk about everything else. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, a second supplementary?