Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:29): If I may say, for an opposition that wants us to be directly relevant, it is hard to discern a question in that rant. Senator Conroy: A stream of consciousness! Senator WONG: A stream of consciousness? Perhaps a little bit theatrical, but I find it hard to discern what question I am supposed to answer. If the senator is so concerned about the mining industry, which I think was part of his question, I invite him to consider Rio Tinto's comments about the Queensland government's decision: We are shocked, surprised and very disappointed by the size of the royalty increase … [which] will further endanger jobs and investment in the coal industry. I invite the senator to consider the Queensland Resources Council's statement: It will mean job losses. It risks further mine closures and there are many coal projects on the drawing board that will now never get off that drawing board. I invite him to consider those issues when he next wants to speak about the taxation of mining. (Time expired)