Mrs BRONWYN BISHOP (3:38 PM) —My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to a report that if the government increased the superprofit threshold on its great big new tax on mining to 12.5 per cent it would represent ‘a very soft concession’ and would only reduce overall revenue from the tax from $9 billion to around $8.5 billion a year. Does this confirm that such a move would do next to nothing to reduce the adverse impact of this new tax on new investment and jobs? Further, does the Treasurer believe that he would have attracted a higher bid for his company at the mid-winter ball auction if he had not been saddled with the Prime Minister as part of the package?

Honourable members interjecting—

The SPEAKER —Order! The last part of the question is out of order. The House will come back to order.

Mr SWAN (Treasurer) —Last night at the mid-winter ball I was at the table next door to the honourable member and she was pretty lonely. The answer is no.