Senator SHERRY (Tasmania—Minister Assisting on Deregulation and Public Sector Superannuation, Minister for Small Business and Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) (14:33): Thank you, indeed, for the compliment, Senator McGauran. It may be your last question and I want to compliment you— Senator Carr: On surviving this long! Senator SHERRY: I do want to compliment you on your longevity in this place; and all the best to you, if indeed it is your last question. In terms of the coalmining sector, the real threat to the competitive position of the Australian economy does not come from the government's carbon price policy. It comes from you, Senator McGauran—through you, Mr President—or, I should say, from the opposition that you of course represent. The abandonment— Senator Carr: When you were in the National Party. Senator SHERRY: Well, yes. I am not going to go there; I am not going to be unkind to Senator McGauran. The PRESIDENT: Senator Sherry, just come to the question, please. Senator SHERRY: I am not going to be unkind. The abandonment— Senator Carr: He ought to get credit for propping up the DLP! Senator SHERRY: Senator Carr, please! Senator Carr: Come on, Dolly, tell us about the DLP! The PRESIDENT: Order! Resume your seat, Senator Sherry. Senator IAN MACDONALD: Mr President, I raise a point of order on the attitude of one of the people over there who masquerades as a minister. This week, in the final weeks of several senators from all sides, everyone has been absolutely gracious except that thug who represents the Left in Victoria, and I ask you to bring him to order. The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, there is no point of order. The minister has a one minute 14 remaining to address the question. I draw the minister's attention to the question. Senator SHERRY: In this week when we are reflecting on the contributions of senators who depart, I agree with Senator Macdonald. I am trying my very best in this final twilight of Senator McGauran's career in this place to get to an answer. I am just being so rudely interrupted. It comes from the opposition's abandonment of the fundamental belief in markets and rational economics and the opposition leader, Mr Abbott's, embrace of totally irresponsible and politically opportune fearmongering. That is what we are seeing. In order to support jobs and compete in the next century, a century which will increasingly be— Senator McGauran: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I rarely take points of order; in all the time I have been here I have taken only two or three points of order, Senator Sherry. I did compliment you and say that you were always well prepared for question time, so I bring you back to the question: on what basis did the Minister for Resources and Energy, Mr Ferguson, whom you represent here, make those comments? You have 29 seconds to answer that question. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister has 29 seconds remaining. I draw your attention to the question, Minister. Senator SHERRY: The government and my colleague Minister Ferguson do recognise that the coal industry is a very important and vital part of our economy. We have always said that every cent raised from a carbon price will be used to assist households, support jobs and make the transition to a clean energy future. That is why we are consulting very closely with the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee on assistance measures for coalmining operations. My colleague Minister Ferguson has made that very clear. (Time expired)