Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water) (15:10): Thank you, Mr Deputy President, for the opportunity to respond to Senator Humphries on this most important issue of pricing carbon. What Senator Humphries did not say anything about this afternoon was the Liberal Party's own plan in respect of carbon. Senator Humphries: Because it wasn't in question time. That's why. We're taking note of answers to questions. Senator FARRELL: Yes, and I am answering your question. Senator Humphries: I didn't ask a question. Senator FARRELL: Well, I am responding to you, Senator Humphries. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Through the chair, Senator Farrell and Senator Humphries! Senator FARRELL: I fully intend to do it through the chair. Thank you, Deputy President, for that timely reminder. We have not heard anything about the Liberal Party's plans in respect of carbon or the fact that they have got a plan. They have got a plan. Mr Abbott has got a plan. But the problem is that it is the wrong plan. It is a plan that, if, by misfortune, they get into government and are able to implement, will leave Australian families worse off by $1,300 a year more in taxes that they will be paying. Senator Humphries: Table the figures to show that. Senator FARRELL: Senator Humphries, if your plan is so good, why haven't you submitted that plan to Treasury? You are critical of this government about our plan. Why are you so afraid to submit your plan to Treasury for testing? I know why Senator Humphries is so reluctant to submit his plan to Treasury. It is because he knows what this government is saying about his plan in respect of carbon is right—that it will increase costs to the ordinary Australian by $1,300 a year, and all of that money will go to the big polluters. Senator Humphries claims we are trying to rush this through the parliament. That is the core of his allegations. I remind Senator Humphries that he was part of a government led by John Howard that in 2007 went to the election telling the people of Australia—yes; do not look so surprised, Senator Humphries—that they were going to do something about carbon pollution. John Howard was going to do something about it. But of course the Australian people had the wisdom to reject Mr Howard. They elected a Labor government, and for the last three years we have not been talking about anything else other than putting a price on carbon. Senator Cormann: You told people you wouldn't do it! Senator FARRELL: We have been talking about this for three years, Senator Cormann. If you have not heard the message from us then you just have not been listening. We have been talking about this for three years, and now we intend to do it. We are going to put a price— Senator Cormann: 'There will be no carbon price under the government I lead'! The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator FARRELL: Thank you for that protection, Mr Deputy President. If you have not heard, Senator Cormann, for the last three years we have been talking about this issue. We continue to talk about it and now we are going to do something about it. John Howard talked about it in 2007. Now the Gillard government is going to do something about it on behalf of the Australian people, who want something done about carbon pollution. The Australian people want us to do something about it, and that is what we are going to do. You have had ample time to look at what we are proposing on this issue. Senator Humphries, every question you ask has an answer. The big answer is that we are going to solve, to the extent we are able to and to assist— (Time expired)