Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:40): In answer to the first part of the question: no, I am not aware of that particular modelling. It is unsurprising, however, that there are a range of assertions out there from some parts of industry around the impact of a carbon price. We are aware, for example, of various mining companies, some of whom are coalmining companies and some of whom are— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, ignore the interjections. Those on my left will cease interjecting. Opposition senators interjecting— Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: The time for debating this issue is at the end of question time. Senator Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: As I was saying, there are obviously a great many assertions being made by those opposite about the effect of pricing carbon—which used to be their policy—on industry and on different parts of the economy. I recall, for example, in relation to the mining tax Mr Abbott saying that it would kill the mining boom stone dead. It is interesting to note that, since the government announced the resource tax reforms, we have actually seen an increase in mining employment— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: Yes, an increase. On the one hand we have Mr Abbott saying the sky will fall in and mining will stop, but in fact we have seen an increase. Senator Brandis: Mr President, I rise on a point of order relating to direct relevance. There were two questions. The minister answered the first question in the first 10 seconds when she said she did not know. There was a second question: what is the government's own estimate of the cost increases for retail motor vehicles? Nothing she has said since has come anywhere near to that question. The PRESIDENT: I believe the minister is answering the question. The minister has 41 seconds remaining to answer the question. Senator WONG: I would also make the point—and the senator knows this because he has asked me similar questions on carbon pricing over many years—that obviously the effect of a price depends, amongst other things, on the level of that price, and the government has not yet announced what that will be. In relation to the automotive sector, this government has ensured that the new Car Plan will deliver about $5.4 billion to the automotive sector in recognition of the importance of that industry and the need to invest for the future.