Mr WILTON —My question is to the Minister for Family Services, who yesterday failed to rule out a GST on child care.

Mr SPEAKER —The member will leave out any comment and ask his question.

Mr WILTON —Is the minister aware that a 10 per cent GST would add a further $17 per week to child-care costs? Minister, just how do you expect working families to afford this? Or is it the truth that this government is only too happy to force women out of the work force and drive the living standards of Australian families down?

Mr SPEAKER —That question contains argument. Next time, I suggest that you look at your question very carefully. It is technically out of order, but I will allow it in this instance.

Mr Hockey —Mr Speaker—

Mr SPEAKER —Are you raising a point of order?

Mr Hockey —Mr Speaker, I am clearly raising a point of order, in relation to standing order 144, which says that, if inferences, imputations, epithets or ironical expressions are included in the question, it should be ruled out of order. I ask you to rule accordingly.

Mr SPEAKER —I have just commented that, in my view, the question is technically out of order.

Government members interjecting—

Mr SPEAKER —Members of the government will remain silent. I am advising all members that there are many questions in this place from both sides that are, similarly, technically out of order. In this instance, I am allowing the question, but I suggest to all members that, if they do not draft their questions in accordance with requirements of the standing orders, I will have no alternative but to rule them out of order.

Mr WARWICK SMITH (Minister for Family Services) —I always seem to get caught on technicalities. The issue that you have raised I answered yesterday in the context of any package the government develops with regard to a necessary change in taxation in this country will be possessed of fairness. That will apply to any of those areas for which I have ministerial responsibility—that is, disabilities, child care, nursing homes, and so on.

This gives me the opportunity to answer the second part of your question with regard to child care, the allegation you make about women not being able to access affordable child care. I have addressed this issue on several occasions, but there is one fundamental point that you miss: the number of women in the work force with children under the age of 15 has remained constant at 58 per cent since 1995.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr WARWICK SMITH —It is true. Here is the graph. I am fond of showing graphs. This is something that you can understand. There has been no reduction of women in the work force with regard to child care since 1995. What you allege is absolutely false.