Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:01): I do not know about pernicious briefings, but I do know about pernicious policies. The pernicious policies that those opposite pursued are the policies of the carbon tax and the FBT, which drove many people out of work. Those opposite can cry their crocodile tears. I do not see the crocodile in the chamber, but clearly the tears are here. Senator Kim Carr: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. It is a question of direct relevance. This was a question that went specifically to the issue of backgrounding by senior government ministers against General Motors Holden and we have not heard a word on that subject by the minister. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister is addressing the issue. The minister has one minute and 30 seconds remaining. I call the minister. Senator ABETZ: I think on this side we can all understand the great sensitivity by former Minister Carr, who presided over the announcement of Mitsubishi to leave Australia and also Ford to leave Australia. I was asked by the Leader of the Opposition in this place about these pernicious briefings. As I said at the very beginning of my answer, I do not know of any pernicious briefings by any minister in the government. I then went on to remind those opposite— Senator Wong: Four days. Senator ABETZ: that the pernicious policies of the Labor Party went on, not for four days, Leader of the Opposition, but month after month with a carbon tax that has put a reverse tariff on each and every Australian-made motor vehicle. It is a tariff that exists— Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order, again on direct relevance. The minister has actually effectively answered the question. There is no need for more background briefing. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. The minister is in continuance. The minister has 26 seconds remaining. Senator ABETZ: Every single automotive worker knows that the carbon tax is destructive to their jobs. Everybody in Holden knows how destructive the FBT policy was. Here we have a former general secretary of the AMWU for his own political purposes selling out the workers of this country. (Time expired) Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: When there is silence I will call Senator Wong. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I will call Senator Wong when there is silence on both sides. I call Senator Wong.