Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:35): We continue this policy for many of the same reasons that the former Prime Minister, John Howard, went to the 2007 election with a promise to put a price on carbon. We continue this policy for many of the same reasons that his hand-picked task group, led by Peter Shergold, recommended an emissions trading scheme as the most economically efficient way to reduce pollution and to tackle climate change. Senator Conroy interjecting— Senator Abetz interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, resume your seat. Senator Abetz and Senator Conroy: your exchange across the chamber might suit yourselves but it makes it very difficult for me to listen to Senator Wong. Senator Wong, continue. Senator WONG: For all of those reasons, Mr President, and because we on this side believe that it is our responsibility to do something about climate change. We do not believe it is responsible for us to sit here in the Commonwealth parliament and say: 'This is too hard. We don't want to do this. We'll ignore all of the risks, economic and environmental, that scientists have given this parliament time and time again.' We believe that it is the responsible and right thing to do.