QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:17): What I would say to those opposite about tax is not only does this budget contain a new tax cut for every working Australian but the combination of the tax cuts that this government is delivering is around $2,800 to someone on the average income, and that stands in stark contrast to Senator Hume, who went to the last election promising Australians higher taxes.

Senator Hume interjecting— Senator WONG: Senator, you may shout and wiggle your finger at me and look down your nose at me, but you will never be able to run away from the fact you are 'higher taxes Senator Hume'. That is what you are, and you will always be. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Well, that was a pretty disgraceful response; so disgraceful that it was impossible for me to get order because all of you were interjecting.