Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (15:18): I thank the Senate for the convenience of having both senators ask me questions on these issues sequentially and I also thank Senator Eggleston and Senator Fisher for the courtesy of advising me ahead of time. In relation to Senator Eggleston's questions, I am advised that of the 844 questions that Treasury received through the various estimates to which he referred there are only 55 outstanding. Whilst I acknowledge that there is a deadline for the provision of these answers, I would suggest to the opposition that they consider the very large amount of work that Treasury receives as requests for information from— Senator Abetz: Doing a carbon tax, dumping a carbon tax, doing a carbon tax. Senator WONG: Unlike Senator Abetz, I have some regard for the public servants who serve the government. Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! We will not proceed until there is order. Senator WONG: As I was saying, I think anybody would recognise— Opposition senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! The senators asking the questions were heard in silence. I ask senators to pay the same respect to the minister. Senator WONG: As I said, of 844 questions from the various estimates to which Senator Eggleston referred, Treasury has responded to all but 55. I will certainly endeavour, on behalf of the Treasurer, to have those provided as soon as possible. My advice is that we anticipate it being in the very near future. I ask the good senator to recognise that these are the same officials who have worked on the federal budget. As he would recall from his time in government, that is a very labour-intensive process. As someone who has been part of that process, I can vouch for the fact that very long hours and very many weekends are worked by public servants in the preparation of the federal budget. I think I was asked questions by Senator Fisher only in relation to climate change and energy efficiency. In relation to those, of the 70 questions asked, I am advised that 61 have been answered at this point and I am informed by the minister's office that the department is working as quickly as possible to finalise the outstanding nine. I also understand that we anticipate most of those questions being available prior to the next estimates hearing.