Senator SINODINOS (New South Wales—Assistant Treasurer) (14:21): I thank Senator Ruston for her question. She is a great advocate of small business and of regional South Australia in particular. By refusing to support the abolition of the carbon tax, those opposite are robbing Australians of $550 a year, cash on the barrel head—$550 a year from the abolition of the carbon tax. One of the most immediate impacts of the carbon tax on households is the price of electricity and gas. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator SINODINOS: You do not like this. You do not like being reminded about taxes and prices going up. The carbon tax is an $8 billion— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Sinodinos, just resume your seat. Senator Sinodinos, continue. Senator SINODINOS: Thank you, Mr President. The carbon tax is an $8 billion a year burden on electricity. By abolishing the tax, electricity prices will be around nine per cent lower and retail gas prices around seven per cent lower than they would otherwise be. On this basis, household average electricity and gas bills will be around $200 and $70 respectively lower than they would otherwise be in 2014-15, assuming a carbon tax worth $25.40 per tonne. The filibustering from those opposite comes at the worst possible time for households: in the run-up to Christmas, when we should be doing everything we can to be promoting confidence and thinking about gifts for loved ones. The coalition was elected on a clear promise, a clear mandate, to scrap the carbon tax. The time is up. Those opposite must listen to the Australian people. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Sinodinos, resume your seat. When there is silence, we will proceed. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: On my left! Senator Faulkner: You've got to say all this with a straight face, Arthur. Stop smiling. The PRESIDENT: When there is silence, we will proceed. Senator Sinodinos. Senator SINODINOS: Thank you, Mr President. To Senator Faulkner: I am trying to be a friendly persuader. Removing the carbon tax will be a boost for business. Time after time, business leaders have met the government and told us how the carbon tax has damaged business. More than 440 pages will be removed from the statute book if we act before this parliament ends this year. Removing liabilities from 30 June 2014 will simplify the transition for business by avoiding the need to change compliance systems in the middle of the financial year.