Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:29): I regret all the effort I made my staff go into preparing me for question time this week in terms of an understanding of the detail of the budget, because it clearly has been wasted work. The government is committed to achieving a price mechanism on carbon. We are committed to reducing pollution in our economy. We are committed to trying to reduce that pollution, reduce the damage to the environment and have an economic framework for tackling carbon pollution. This objective has been pursued by this government through both its first and second term. On this occasion we formed a multi-party climate change committee which is trying to work through the details of a proposition to bring before the parliament to put a price on carbon. That is the commitment of this government. We have set about that work. That is progressing well. The minister responsible, Mr Combet, is engaging with industry, trade unions, community members, climate change experts, economists—the whole breadth of people with an interest in this issue—to try to work towards a model that will be acceptable in the broader community and acceptable to the parliament. That work is going well and it will continue. Senator Birmingham: Mr President, on a point of order: it goes to the direct relevance of the answer by Senator Evans. Senator Evans was asked about the budget neutrality of the carbon tax. He says he is so keen to talk about the budget. How about answering whether the carbon tax will in fact be budget neutral? The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. Senator Evans, you have 23 seconds remaining to answer the question. Senator CHRIS EVANS: As I indicated, we are very committed to trying to achieve a price on carbon in the Australian economy. The budget laid down by the Treasurer on Tuesday did not include costing relating to that measure, because that measure is yet to be carried by the parliament. But when it is carried by the parliament then it will be reflected in future budget papers. (Time expired)