Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:00): I thank the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate for her question. Senator Cameron: You're looking after your mates! Senator ABETZ: Nothing changes with Senator Doug Cameron, does it? Nothing changes. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Abetz, ignore interjections. You are aware they are disorderly. Senator ABETZ: Mr President, we believe in having a fairer tax system for all Australians— Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Abetz is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator ABETZ: What we as a government have acknowledged is that a few tough decisions need to be made to get the economy back on track. What I would invite those opposite to recognise is simply this: having trashed the house, don't stand in the doorway and refuse entry to the repair men and women who are charged with repairing the house. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I remind senators even at this early stage that if you wish to debate the issue the time to debate it is after question time. The minister is entitled to be heard in silence. When there is silence on both sides we will proceed. Senator Abetz, continue. Senator ABETZ: Those on the other side do regrettably seek to engage in the issues of class warfare. They do seek to engage in the business of cutting down the tall poppies in our community; we don't. Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Senator Cameron interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Moore, you are on your feet for a point of order but someone on your own side is interrupting you and it is very difficult for me to call you. Senator Moore: Mr President, I draw the minister's attention to the standing order on direct relevance in response to questions—one that he used very often himself in this chamber; so I draw his attention to that. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister is answering the question. The minister has 49 seconds remaining. Senator ABETZ: Can I help Senator Moore and those listening as to why this matter is relevant. It is because these matters were part and parcel of the policy that we took to the people in relation to the removal of the mining tax. The Labor Party had matters that they predicated in relation to the mining tax money that was never going to come in. Having trashed the economy, I invite those opposite to allow us to get on with the task of fixing the economy. Just for the leader's attention, I indicate that we do not accept the figures that she mentioned.