Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:09): Whilst we are investing at record levels, trying to meet the skills demands of the economy and provide record education opportunities for our young people, these state governments are destroying that investment by taking money out at the other end, by sacking educators, by closing campuses and by slashing the educational opportunities available to young people, particularly those in rural and regional education. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator CHRIS EVANS: The hypocrisy of you, Senator—day in, day out, saying: 'Don't lift mining taxes. You'll destroy jobs.' Yet where are you when the coal industry suffers under these attacks? Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Evans, just resume your seat. Order! I remind senators on both sides that interjections across the chamber are disorderly. Minister, continue. Senator CHRIS EVANS: Month after month they have come in here and said, 'A price on carbon will destroy jobs.' Well, tell me. It is nothing like Campbell Newman. All the lobbying says jobs will grow, but Campbell Newman is going to sack 14,000 people. So there are no questions about climate change, no questions about jobs and no questions about taxes on mining companies today, because the hypocrisy— (Time expired) Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When there is silence we will proceed.