Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:00): The answer is no because, as the senator would well know—and it is embarrassing that the only way he can get a question on education is to ask a question on carbon. That is how much priority those opposite place on education. The only way you can get a question in the portfolio area is to ask a question about carbon pricing. As you would well know, Senator, the Commonwealth funds schools on an indexed basis. The funding is based on the AGSRC, average government school recurrent costs, amount that takes into account increases in operating costs, and utility costs are included in that index. That is the truth, but of course what we really want to know is what the coalition would do when it came to education because apparently, according to Mr Robb, they are going to give all of education to Campbell Newman. That is the new policy from the coalition: We are going to outsource education and health to the states because we—Her Majesty is on his feet. Senator Brandis: Mr President, on a point of order on the question of direct relevance to the question: the question was about the effect of the carbon tax on the costs to schools; it has nothing whatsoever to do with Campbell Newman. Senator Jacinta Collins: Mr President, on the point of order: Senator Wong is being directly relevant. She is outlining what the opposition's alternative would be to school funding and operating costs, which may include any costs associated with running schools, and Senator Brandis understands as well. Senator Mason regrets the fact that he was asked to present this question, because he full knows the answer about the AGSRC. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister has 59 seconds remaining to address the question. Senator WONG: In fact I answered the— Senator Bernardi: Mr President, on a point of order: Senator Wong continually refers to senators on this side, particularly Senator Brandis, by the incorrect title. As someone who has been the most precious, outspoken and glass-jawed minister that has ever been taken into this Senate, we should not have to put up with the petty abuse from the most failed and pathetic minister that we have ever seen in this place. Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Chris Evans: Mr President, on a point of order: Senator Wong merely seeks to recognise Senator Brandis's position as a member of royalty and the demeanour which he brings associated with that, and I am sure it is meant as a compliment. The PRESIDENT: Order! That is not a point of order. I remind honourable senators on both sides that, when referring to members of this place or the other, the correct title of the appropriate person must be used on both sides and in both chambers. The minister now has 55 seconds remaining to answer the question. Senator WONG: Given Senator Brandis demands that we call the British government Her Majesty's government, I did not think he would be offended by the term 'Her Majesty'. But if he is, I will not call him 'Her Majesty' whilst I am on my feet. If I can just return to the question: I in fact answered it in the first 10 seconds, which shows what sort of question it was. I am unsurprised that Senator Brandis jumps to his feet to suggest that it is not relevant what the shadow minister for finance says the opposition will do for education. We have made very clear when it comes— Senator Brandis: Mr President, on a point of order: with respect, you cannot allow this minister to defy your authority as she continually does. Having ruled the last point of order out of order, you are now entertaining a minister answering a question about the effect of a carbon tax on schools by making a comment on the motives of one senator in taking a point of order on relevance. How can that be relevant to the question she was asking? The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. I am listening to the minister's answer. The minister has 19 seconds remaining to address the question. Senator WONG: As I pointed out to the senator in the first 15 seconds, the AGSRC does take into account increases in operating costs, and utility costs are included in that index—and this is from the government that doubled funding to schools. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! A question was asked by Senator Mason. Senator Mason is entitled to hear the answer to the question. Senator Mason is also entitled to supplementary questions if he so chooses. Other additional comments from those other than Senator Mason should not interrupt the procedure of this question time.