Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:37): I assume that the good senator by that question is referencing various newspaper reports rather than— Senator Birmingham interjecting— Senator WONG: Actually, I think it was the Financial Review, but I am happy to say 'the Australian', if you want, Senator Birmingham! The PRESIDENT: Order! Ignore the interjections, Senator Wong. Just continue on the answer. Senator WONG: It is a very broad question, but certainly in relation to the floor price the government have made clear that we have undertaken extensive consultations. We have certainly received a number of submissions regarding the operation of the floor price. Earlier this year the government released a discussion paper on possible options for implementing the floor price, and no decision has been taken on this issue because we are still consulting with interested parties. Of course, if the senator is concerned about high prices, we know that the highest carbon price that could be imposed on the Australian economy is that which would be imposed should Tony Abbott ever be in a position to implement his policies. We know what that would mean: a $1,300 a year tax on every Australian. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Brandis interjecting— Senator WONG: How sooky sooky la-la again, George! You don't want— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Wong, resume your seat. Senator Brandis: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. On the issue of direct relevance, it was, as the minister said, a broad question. But even the breadth of that question did not extend beyond asking whether the government was considering a particular measure. Where the senator is going now has no bearing on the question of what the government is considering. The PRESIDENT: I do draw the minister's attention to the question. The minister has 52 seconds remaining. Senator WONG: It was a broad question. I can tell the senator that the government is not considering imposing a $1,300 per year impost on Australian families, unlike his party. I can tell the senator that the government is not considering taking back the tax cuts that we have provided. The government is not considering reducing the pensions and the family tax benefits that we have put in place to assist with the carbon price. All of those things of course are being not only considered but committed to by the Leader of the Opposition and those opposite.