Senator WONG (South Australia—Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:35): It was a somewhat strange question and— Senator Ian Macdonald: Do we have to have a commentary on the question every time? The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister may continue. Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting— Senator WONG: I was just waiting for the constant repetition from Senator Macdonald to subside slightly. As I said, it was a question that I think suggested on the one hand that the government would abolish the mining tax but on the other hand suggested that we would have a mining tax that someone else suggested. There are a couple of propositions to make about the mining tax, which Senator Cormann does not agree with. We have been very clear on the principle that the Australian people own the resources that are the subject of this tax regime. Senator Cormann interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! You have had your question; the minister is answering the question. Desist from interjecting. Senator WONG: We have been very clear about the proposition that the Australian people own these resources. That is the rationale for the tax.