Senator KEMP (Assistant Treasurer) (4:52 PM) —On the last question, which was on the effects on exports, the fact of the matter is that the exporters prefer our tax model to yours. My understanding is that the export sector is very supportive of what we are doing in tax reform. You can have this debate in the chamber. You can make as many assumptions as you like, but the truth of the matter is that this is very good for exports. Embedded taxes are removed. As you said, exports are zero rated and, frankly, I do not think there would be an exporter in this country who would want to go back to the Labor Party tax model.

Senator Cook —Want to bet?

Senator KEMP —We had a bet, in a sense, in the last election. You lost that. We had a major debate in this chamber over a very long period. You lost that. Frankly, I suspect that the way you are going you will certainly lose the next election, but that is how these things happen in politics. That is where the testing ground is. I have huge confidence in the package and the reform agenda we have, especially compared with anything the Labor Party might put up. That is my answer to your question, `Do you want to bet?'

I am not the minister who authorises the advertising campaign. If I were asked to authorise it, I would be very happy to do so. It seems to me to be a very good campaign and, as I go around listening to what people are saying, I think it is very well planned. I think we are quite entitled to inform people about a tax system which has been passed by the Senate—with opposition from the Labor Party but, nonetheless, passed by this parliament. The government is carrying out its proper responsibilities and informing the public. I am not aware of any change which may be required as a result of any material going through here. You have raised the question and so I will look at that issue, but I am not aware as I stand here of any changes.

You asked why the GST is not mentioned in the campaign. The GST is the centrepiece of the campaign. If you go into the Internet or phone the infolines, you will find that the word `GST' appears constantly, I would have thought. We are encouraging people to seek information on the GST. I am not sure what you are driving at but it seems to me that there is a great deal of information out there on the GST. I think that covers the matters that Senator Cook raised. There are some issues on which Senator Cook and I will undoubtedly differ in matters of public debate but, as I said, I will always try to assist him with answers to questions.