Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:32): One sits over here and there is the echo of what Senator Birmingham and others said during the CPRS debate, when they came in here and told us why it was a good idea to support Malcolm Turnbull and back the deal—why it was a good idea to put a price on carbon. And now Senator Birmingham, who used to be a moderate but clearly has enough ambition to do whatever Tony Abbott says, is happy to come in here and run this kind of scaremongering. What absolute sell-outs the moderates in the Liberal Party have become. You used to believe in doing something for the environment and for the economy and for the future. You used to believe that climate change was worth acting on. Now you are happy to sign up to a scare campaign. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: The minister will resume her seat. When there is silence on both sides—Senator Macdonald is on his feet. He is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, I raise a point of— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, as soon as I gave you the call— Senator Conroy interjecting— Senator Brandis interjecting— The PRESIDENT: There will be silence on both sides. Just wait a minute, Senator Macdonald. You are entitled to be heard in silence. Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, I raise a point of order on relevance. This minister is a serial offender, in that when she is asked any question she simply spends the first three-quarters of her time attacking the questioner. She does it all the time, and I ask you to stop her doing that and I ask her to try to answer the questions she is asked. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister has 12 seconds remaining. Senator WONG: I can assure Senator Macdonald I did not include him in my criticism of the moderates on the other side! We will price carbon because it is the right thing to do—for the economy and for the environment. (Time expired) Senator Conroy interjecting— Senator Brandis: I think you should have been a Howard government minister, Stephen; it was fun. Senator Abetz: You could actually do what you wanted to do, Stephen! Senator Conroy: You just love that bow tie! Senator Brandis interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senators Conroy and Brandis— Senator Brandis: He is provoking me! The PRESIDENT: Senator Brandis, that is no defence and you know that.