MOTIONS

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (10:07): The desperate and divided coalition, led by a man who knows not what he believes in, is a group of people who can't agree what they believe in and who are scribbling around desperately for a motion to distract from the fact that they do not know in what they believe.

That is what we have, and that is why this suspension motion does not deserve to be supported. But I would make this observation: actually we do know what those opposite believe in because Senator Hume has told us those opposite do not and cannot abide by the tax cuts for working people that this parliament has passed and that are being implemented, whether it's the fifth tax cut, which means that working Australians will be up to $2,800 a year better off; whether it is the new and permanent income tax cuts through the working Australians tax offset; or the $1,000 instant tax deduction with no receipts needed.

We know what they really believe because in yet another one of her memorable breakfast TV appearances— Senator Duniam: I'm reluctant to do this, but I have a point of order on relevance. The motion before the chair is one about whether the Treasurer and his representative should be censured or not, and I'm waiting to hear that. The PRESIDENT: I will remind the minister it is about the suspension.

I'll also remind those on my left that Senator Cash was heard in silence, and I expect the same for Minister Wong. Senator WONG: I'm speaking to the deceitfulness of this motion. It really is deceitful.

What they really believe is that Labor's tax cuts—and I quote Senator Hume—are 'egregious'. Tax cuts for working people are 'egregious'. This is what the senator for higher taxes, also known as Senator Hume, is articulating as the deputy leader.

That really lays bare how— Senator Hume interjecting— Senator WONG: Withdraw that! The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Hume, withdraw your comment.

Senator Hume interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, I've asked you to withdraw. Senator Hume: I withdraw. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

I remind those on my left that this debate needs to be heard in silence. Senator Cash was just heard in complete silence, and that courtesy and that respect will also go to Minister Wong. Senator WONG: They can't bear the fact that their deputy leader has been very clear about what their motivation is: tax cuts for working people are egregious.

Did you ever need more of an indication of what the Liberal Party really think than that—that they believe that tax cuts are egregious. Thirty million Australian workers getting a tax cut is egregious. That tells you everything you need to know about the intent behind this motion and the deceitfulness of those opposite in putting it forward.

On that, I move: That the question be now put. The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion moved by Minister Wong regarding closure be agreed to. A division having been called and the bells being rung— Senator Hanson-Young interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, I'm not sure what is going on at the back end of the chamber, but I can hear you clearly and I'm asking you to be quiet.

Senator Hanson-Young: Excuse me, under what standing order is that? The PRESIDENT: Those are the standing orders, Senator Hanson-Young. Respect and order.