Senator BOLKUS (2:40 PM) —My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Kemp. I ask the minister: is it true that dozens of major industry rulings and thousands of private rulings on the GST are still being determined by the tax office? What precisely are the current statistics on outstanding rulings? I further ask the minister: how are businesses expected to properly apply the GST in the absence of so many of these rulings?

Senator KEMP (Assistant Treasurer) —The tax office, in the introduction of the new tax system, is required to make a great number of rulings—there is no question of that. The rulings program is developed in consultation with industry.

Senator Conroy —Three telephones books and rising.

The PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Bolkus has asked a question, Senator Conroy. It is not for you to keep shouting during the answer and asking other questions.

Senator KEMP —Let me just deal with some of the statistics that—

Senator Conroy —It is 6.7 kilograms and growing.

The PRESIDENT —Senator Conroy, I have just drawn your attention to your behaviour.

Senator KEMP —By 30 June the ATO will have issued 46 key rulings in final or draft form. Rulings still in draft form as at 30 June will be treated as final to give taxpayers greater certainty on 1 July. In addition, let me make it clear that the government is working with various bodies to provide solutions to industry wide questions. The Commissioner of Taxation—and I think it is important to note this—has given assurances that people taking reasonable steps to implement the new tax system in the transition period but who make a mistake will not be penalised. I think that is an important assurance which has been given.

Senator Bolkus —Madam President, I raise a point of order. The question was not: how many rulings have been put in place? The question was: how many rulings are outstanding? If the minister has one part of that information, his brief must encompass the other part as well. I ask him to make his answer relevant and to answer the question: what are the current statistics on outstanding rulings?

The PRESIDENT —There is no point of order.

Senator KEMP —Of course there was no point of order. It is just wasting the time of the Senate carrying on like that, Senator Bolkus. I am shocked that a former minister in the Keating government would do that actually. In regard to the number of rulings outstanding, I will see if I can obtain some information from the tax commissioner.

Senator Conroy —He hasn't got a clue.

Senator KEMP —We always try to assist Labor senators, Senator Conroy, and they do need, as my colleague Senator Herron says, a great deal of assistance. Senator Bolkus asked me a question in relation to rulings and I have provided information to him on the rulings program. He also wants some further statistics. As a matter of courtesy, Senator Bolkus, I will seek that particular information. So you will have to bear with me until I have the information on hand.

Senator BOLKUS —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. Is the minister aware that, like himself, even accountants will not be ready for the GST? Is he aware that the National Tax and Accountants Association said yesterday that Australia's accountants are still trying to navigate the extremely complex legislation on issues such as lease and hire purchase transactions, invalid tax invoices, adjustments for capital acquisitions and creditable transactions? As the Assistant Treasurer who has ministerial responsibility for GST implementation, can the minister answer this question: if accountants in the tax office are not going to be ready for the GST, what chance does small business have in complying with a labyrinth of GST legislation from this Saturday, just 96 hours away?

Senator KEMP (Assistant Treasurer) —I think you will find, Senator, that come 1 July and the days and months beyond that, business is ready. We understand that the Labor Party simply wants to run scare tactics. I think the Labor Party's behaviour in this whole period has been quite disgraceful. Let me make a prediction that in the coming months it will not be—

Senator Bolkus —Madam President, I rise on a point of order. There was a precise question. The minister was asked to provide an answer which is relevant to so many businesses across the country. Waffle will not substitute. Can you get him to answer the question?

The PRESIDENT —There is no point of order.

Senator KEMP —Thank you, Madam President. I have answered and I will make this prediction: in the coming months there will not be complaints about the GST; there will be complaints about the Labor Party roll-back and there will be concern about Labor Party tax policy. The hypocrisy of the Labor Party in this whole campaign will be exposed.