Senator COOK (10:30 AM) —Madam Temporary Chairman, we are reaching the stage where you will be putting the question, and that is a reasonable and appropriate course. But I wonder if, through you, Madam Temporary Chairman, I can ask the Democrats a question, since they asked me a question relating to the amendments that they moved to the government's bill. Their question to me was: will you amend the government amendment should you become the government after the next election? My question to them is: will you support us if we were to? Since the Democrats asked where Labor stands on the GST, and I answered that, I ask the Democrats: where do you stand on the GST? Will you support one if we are not successful at the next election and if there is such a proposal before the Senate?

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Senator Patterson) —Senator Cook, I know that that question was asked by the Democrats and that you answered it, but we are straying a long way—and I have been very tolerate—from the topic of the amendments under debate. I draw to your attention, Senator Murray, in responding, that we now have moved a long way from your amendments.