Senator BOB CARR (New South Wales—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (14:04): I am eager to answer the question. The PRESIDENT: Wait a minute, Senator Bob Carr. Senator Ronaldson: On the point of order: the very reason this question was directed to this minister is that it is the department of the minister he is representing which actually pays the pensions. The PRESIDENT: That is not the point. Senator BOB CARR: This one was under-rehearsed. This is not a kabuki drama. The Australian government accepted the recommendation of an independent review that Australian government civilian and military superannuation pensions should continue to be indexed by the consumer price index. The indexation of Australian government civilian and military superannuation pensions was subject to a comprehensive independent review in 2008. This review was conducted by Mr Trevor Matthews, an independent actuary. Senator Johnston interjecting— Senator BOB CARR: No, on the contrary, he is a very prominent actuary. To cast aspersions on his reputation is, I think, not only deeply offensive to him but— Senator Brandis interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Brandis, I was just about to rule that Senator Carr should come to the question, if that is your point of order. Senator Brandis: That was my point of order, Mr President, yes. The PRESIDENT: Senator Bob Carr, you have a minute and 20 seconds remaining to address the question. Senator BOB CARR: I welcome the opportunity, because in August 2009 the government accepted the review recommendation that Australian superannuation pensions should continue to be indexed by the CPI. Aligning those arrangements with the Commonwealth— Senator Ronaldson: On a point of order, Mr President: while I am sure the minister has no idea what the DFRDB is, I do, however, ask him to return to the question and answer: what is the carbon tax compensation for these people? Senator BOB CARR: I just said that the pension is indexed to the CPI. He cannot absorb that. That was the most pithy and relevant answer to his question he could have. At the end of this parliamentary session, they have absolutely run out of questions to ask. That is the revelation here. Senator Brandis: On a point of order, Mr President: as much as we might all be enjoying this thespian display, the fact is that the minister has not approached the topic of the question, which was specifically and only directed to compensation for DFRDB superannuants for the carbon tax. Senator Chris Evans: Mr President, on the point of order. Senator Carr has been as helpful as he can be in providing an answer to the senator's question. I advised Senator Ronaldson that Senator Wong was best placed to help him if he seriously wanted a specific answer to his specific question. But he doesn't. This is, again, another political stunt. Senator Carr has been as helpful as he can within his responsibilities and he is directly responding to the question asked. The PRESIDENT: I have drawn the minister's attention on two occasions to the need to address the question asked by Senator Ronaldson. Senator BOB CARR: The appropriateness of this approach is confirmed by this paragraph from the Matthews review in 2008, quoting the ABS to the effect that: The CPI is a robust measure of general price inflation for the household sector— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Bob Carr, resume your seat. Senator Ronaldson is on his feet Senator Ronaldson: On a point of order, Mr President: can the minister please attempt to give a semblance of an answer to a matter that affects 57,000 Australians and their families? Senator Chris Evans: What is the point of order? The PRESIDENT: Order! I have drawn the minister's attention to the question. Senator BOB CARR: The government accepted the Matthews recommendation that the pension be indexed to the CPI. By the way, what was accepted by this government was never accepted by them when they were in government. If this is such a matter of tender concern to the conscience— (Time expired)