QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:03): Again, we did answer all of these questions at estimates, so I'm not quite sure why they're being asked again. We have been clear about what the tax changes will be—so clear that they were in the legislation that those opposite voted against last week.

I note that Senator Chandler doesn't comment on the tax cuts that were included in that legislation—the egregious tax cuts, as they've been described by those opposite. The tax reductions that were in that bill that you also voted against, the $1,000 instant deduction— The PRESIDENT: Senator Chandler? Senator Chandler: Point of order on relevance: I'm not sure that the minister is being relevant to the question, and it was quite tightly worded.

The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant to your question. I'll continue to listen carefully, and I'll draw the minister to the question if necessary. Senator GALLAGHER: I did answer that question, and I've answered it in estimates.

We were very clear what the reforms were. They were in legislation that you voted against last week. That outlines the core elements of our tax reform package, and we have been clear that, where there are further amendments to bring forward, we will do so in future legislation.

Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong? Senator Wong: On a point of order, disorderly conduct. Senator Cash: What!

Senator Wong: That is a point of order. The opposition appear to realise they have very little of substance to say so have just simply decided that they're going to interject. All of them are interjecting, and the Leader of the Opposition is doing it on my feet.

Senator Paterson interjecting— Senator Wong: And I don't need you to tell me how to behave, Senator Paterson, thank you. The PRESIDENT: The minister has finished her response. Senator Chandler, second supplementary?