Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:58): If Senator Edwards is so interested in dealing with the South Australian political issues, I do understand that. There are a few preselections which might be available on his side of politics for the South Australian campaign. There might even be an opposition leadership position available in South Australia, which he might want to put his hand up for. The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Wong! Come to the question. Senator WONG: Thank you, Mr President. I do not accept the premise of the question, as per normal from this senator. I suggest he has a look. If he wants to talk about federal and state policies, it is interesting that he glosses over the fact that the employment figures released today actually show an increase in jobs in South Australia but over 20,000 jobs being lost in the state of Queensland, the largest drop that has been seen. In South Australia we have seen a small rise in the most recent monthly figures. If the senator is really concerned about the economic issues in our state, he might want to explain why it is that he is part of a party that wants to take $1 billion away from South Australia, because they want to change how the GST is allocated. He ought to go back to Adelaide and fess up that Mr Abbott wants to take $1 billion from South Australians. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Order on both sides! Senator Brandis, you need to be heard and you are entitled to be heard in silence and there are people discussing this on both sides. Wait a minute, Senator Brandis. Senator Brandis, you have the call. Senator Brandis: On a point of order, Mr President, apart from not being relevant to the question asked and aside from the fact that she is lying to the chamber— The PRESIDENT: Order! No, no, you have got to withdraw that. There is no point of order. Senator BRANDIS: I withdraw. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I am not getting into an argument. There is no point of order. The minister has 38 seconds remaining. Senator WONG: I might respond to Senator Brandis, because he can explain to me why it is that Mr Abbott said that he likes a per capita distribution. The truth hurts, doesn't it, George? Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Wong! Order on both sides! Wait a minute, Senator Brandis, you will get the call. Senator Brandis. Senator Brandis: It cannot be relevant to a question asked by Senator Edwards for the minister to say, 'I am going to respond to an interjection from Senator Brandis.' Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I do remind the minister of the question. The minister has 31 seconds remaining. Senator WONG: It is disappointing that the senator in his question yet again joined in the chorus that the opposition like to engage in in talking down the economy. That is not good for Australians. That is not good for South Australians. Talking down the economy might be something that is in your political interest; it is certainly not in the national interest—and the senator would know. If he wants to make a constructive contribution to the economic debate— (Time expired)