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) (14:43): The decisions about how GST is distributed are made by the Commonwealth Grants Commission, where a relativity is provided through annual reviews. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Minister Wong. Senator Wong: I wonder if we could try to listen to what Senator Gallagher is saying. The PRESIDENT: Well, Minister Wong, you may have noticed that I have been calling the chamber to order since we commenced question time. I don't think I've been very successful, but I will try again. I ask senators to listen in respectful silence whilst the minister is asking the question. Senator GALLAGHER: The Commonwealth Grants Commission is responsible for determining the relativities for each state. I know that each state and territory usually participates in that and argues about why they should get a larger share of the GST than another state through direct consultation— The PRESIDENT: Minister Gallagher, please be seated. Senator Birmingham, wait until I call you to raise the point of order. Senator Birmingham. Senator Birmingham: The finance minister is wilfully seeking to mislead the Senate in her presentation of the arguments here. The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham— Senator Birmingham: The reality is that the government decides exemptions, not the Commonwealth Grants Commission. The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, please resume your seat! That is a debating point. Senator GALLAGHER: Senator Duniam asked me about GST distribution, essentially. That was his question: will Tasmania get some GST back? I'm saying that the way GST allocations are made is through the Commonwealth Grants Commission, so I completely reject Senator Birmingham's assertion there. This is done by direct submission to and assessment by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. They determine, and have always determined, the distribution of GST.