QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:03): It should be passed on in full. I think the Prime Minister and the Treasurer were asked this very question in the press conference just now, and the Treasurer spoke about the additional powers that the ACCC has, and will and should utilise, in the event that petrol stations do not pass this reduction in excise through at the bowser.

In relation to rural and regional Australia, again, I think the Prime Minister and the Treasurer both spoke about the fact that one of the things that the Cabinet had very front of mind in making this decision was the impact on regional and rural Australia. As you say, it's correct that they often don't have the choice— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat.

Senator Cash? Senator Cash: President, again it's relevance. I want to know about the government's plan for four days time—by Good Friday, when people are driving.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Cash. The minister is being directly relevant to your question. Minister Wong.

Senator WONG: I'm surprised you don't want to talk about rural and regional Australia, Senator Cash, which was part of your question. That's what I was responding to. What I was trying to say before the relevance point interrupted is that we had very front of mind the impact on rural and regional— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, second supplementary.