Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:55): I am absolutely delighted to inform the electors of Queensland and all Australians that, earlier today, Senator McGrath and I and the coalition and other senators voted to abolish the carbon tax. Senator McGrath ensured that that hit on Australians to which Senator Cameron was referring was actually reduced by $550 per annum for the average— Senator Cameron: Mr President, I rise on a point of order going to relevance. This was a clear and simple question about the GST—the GST on fresh food, school fees, child care and medication, and an increase in the GST. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, first of all, the minister had hardly commenced his answer. Secondly, he was being directly relevant to a portion of your question, so there is no point of order. Minister, you have the call. Senator ABETZ: Can I also commend the speech that Senator McGrath gave to all Australians—a very good speech. I might say, with respect to Senator McGrath: perfect as it was, it did canvass an issue that is not government policy, and we do not intend to increase the GST. This is a government that wants to try to keep the tax burden on our fellow Australians as low as possible. I understand that Senator McGrath's approach is to increase one tax and to replace other taxes, and therefore the overall tax burden would not be increased. But, having said that, I can inform the Senate and Senator Cameron that we do not intend to change the GST formula. However, can I just observe that it is an absolute delight that Senator Cameron listened to a speech without interjecting. That is why he actually got it and was able to ask his question today. Can I commend him to follow that line in the future. (Time expired)