Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:26): I make a couple of points in starting the answer to that question. The first is, the government has made— Senator Ian Macdonald: Just answer the question please. Senator WONG: I am seeking to answer it, Senator Macdonald. The government has been absolutely focused on ensuring energy security in the development of its clean energy package and you will see from the range of measures in the package that energy security has been a priority. You will also see not only in relation to the payments in assistance to generators but also in the pursuit of a contract for closure and the involvement of the relevant regulators the government has been very clear about the critical nature of ensuring the security of energy supply. The second point I would make is that if the senator is concerned about these matters he ought to look at his own policy. Under the direct action policy funded by taxpayers, and the $1,300 per year impost on Australian families, the coalition is proposing also to shut down coal fired power generators in the Latrobe Valley and replace them with gas. I am referring to public statements made by members of the coalition front bench. Senator Abetz: So how is this relevant to the question? Senator WONG: It is relevant, Senator Abetz, because you cannot come in here and ask questions about energy security pretending that you care about it when you are so recklessly proposing, without thinking through the energy security issues, a range of taxpayer funded purchases of abatement that even your own frontbench cannot defend and be consistent on. We have had the member for North Sydney confirming that the coalition's policy was to shut down coal fired power generation. (Time expired)