QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:48): What I have said a number of times in this place and that the budget announced was changes to the capital gains tax arrangements apply the same rule across all assets to ensure that the system is simpler and fairer, and the system that is being applied is a system of real gains.

Now, what I would say to the senator— Senator Cash interjecting— Senator WONG: Senator Cash, everything is an outrage, isn't it? But what is not an outrage to you is the spinelessness of your leader when he is asked seven times about whether or not he supports Ms Hanson's monoculture and he is not able to answer. And I have to say, that stands in stark contrast to the courage that is shown, at least by Mr Hastie, who says he will not bend a knee to them, and, if I may, Senator Scarr, who gave a very decent contribution in this chamber in support of multiculturalism.

I am wondering where the rest of the moderate wing of the Liberal Party are when it comes to this, and to their leader's silence on this. The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Duniam?

Senator Duniam: A point of order on relevance. The question has nothing to do with anything that's being spoken about, so I wonder if the minister might return to the question. The PRESIDENT: Senator Kovacic, are you also standing on a point of order?

Senator Kovacic: I am. I'd like to point out the reflection that Senator Wong has made on individuals on this side of the chamber who have spoken strongly in favour of multiculturalism, and I ask that she withdraw it. The PRESIDENT: Senator Kovacic, I did not hear any offence.

An offence is committed when— Senator Kovacic interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Kovacic, I haven't finished. An offence is committed not by commenting on what someone may have said in this place but when slurring by using their name. I didn't hear that.

I will continue to listen carefully; I did not hear that. In relation to Senator Duniam's point of order, I am happy to draw the minister back to the question, but I will also remind you not to interject, because if you interject the minister is entitled to take the interjection. I'm going to continue to listen carefully.

If there's silence and the minister is not directly relevant to the question, I will draw her to the question—but that means no interjections. Senator WONG: On the point of order, I'm very happy to withdraw, Senator Kovacic. I will always recognise those on your side who do stand up for multiculturalism.

As I was saying, what the government is doing is replacing the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount with a new discount that is based on inflation, with gains accruing from 1 July 2027. That will apply across all asset classes. That is part of a package which also will involve working Australians getting a tax cut— Senator Hume: Do they need to be valued?

Senator WONG: Senator Hume, you just interrupt all the time because you don't want people to know that you were the one who was for higher taxes at the last election and you are leading them into another vote against tax cuts. They keep following you into the trenches, don't they? (Time expired) Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

Senator Hume, I have called you many times this afternoon. I would appreciate silence in the remaining time we've got for question time. Senator Kovacic, first supplementary?