Senator FARRELL (2:11 PM) —My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Can the minister please explain to the Senate what the impact of the failure to pass the government’s Nation Building and Jobs Plan package would be?

Senator CHRIS EVANS (Leader of the Government in the Senate) —I thank the senator—

Senator Ian Macdonald —Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Would you consider that question to be hypothetical and rule accordingly?

The PRESIDENT —I will review the question at the end of question time.

Senator CHRIS EVANS —I understand that Senator Macdonald may be nervous about the extraordinary decision taken today by the opposition to oppose the government’s Nation Building and Jobs Plan. I think it is an extraordinary day in Australian politics. In the middle of a global financial crisis, when all economies are under enormous pressure, where the IMF has revised downward its projections for the economies on at least three occasions in recent months, where it is predicting that we will have negative growth if we do not act decisively now, the government have taken strong and decisive action to try and protect jobs, boost the economy and assist families. In taking that action, we followed the advice of all the international economic organisations and have mirrored action taken in all the Western economies around the world to try and protect their economies from the worst impacts of the global financial crisis. When the government take important, decisive action, what do the opposition do? They say: ‘We’re going to vote against it and we’re going to attempt to block your attempts to bolster the economy and protect Australian jobs.’ They want to stop us protecting Australian jobs. That is the extraordinary position we are in today.

Honourable senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order! I will not give you the call, Senator Macdonald, until there is quiet. It is as simple as that.

Senator Ian Macdonald —Mr President, I again raise the point of order under standing order 73, that this question is hypothetical. The question asked was about: ‘if this package were voted down’. Surely the opposition’s view is known, but the Senate comprises other people besides the opposition. The question is hypothetical—

Government senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order on my right!

Senator Ian Macdonald —Mr President, you can tell from the interjections from the other side that they know that what I am saying is 100 per cent true. This question is hypothetical and should be ruled out of order.

The PRESIDENT —As I undertook, I will review the question at the end of question time and get back if necessary.

Senator Ludwig —Mr President, on the point of order, clearly the senator is looking at standing order 73, which goes through a range of matters about which questions shall not be asked, such as ‘for an expression of opinion’ and ‘for a statement of the government’s policy’ and so on and so forth. It also includes in (g) ‘hypothetical matter’. In this respect, a question has been asked of the Leader of the Government in the Senate about these issues, and it is quite within the remit of this government to ask that question of the leader and for the leader to deal with it. Within that, we are talking about a real issue that is confronting us; it is not a hypothetical matter. But, of course, even within the framework of standing order 73 on rules for questions, there has always been—although it is not conceded in this instance—broad latitude to provide for the answer to the question.

The PRESIDENT —Senator Ludwig, I have already indicated to the chamber that the question will stand. I will review the comments that have been made, and the points of order by Senator Macdonald, at the end of question time and get back to the chamber if necessary.

Senator CHRIS EVANS —I can understand the extraordinary sensitivity that Senator Macdonald and the Liberal Party have about this issue, because it is incredible to think that their position now is that they do not support us trying to protect Australian jobs. They do not support us providing assistance to families. They do not support us providing assistance to small business. They do not support us trying to ensure that this economy grows and that people continue to have jobs. They are so out of touch that they would rather make smart alec debating points than examine the real needs of this economy and the need to protect Australian jobs. I urge them to reverse their decision.

Honourable senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —I remind senators that there is a time for debating answers at the end of question time. That is why we take note of answers at the end of question time. That is the appropriate time.

Senator FARRELL —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Could the minister please detail to the Senate the impact on low- and middle-income earners and families if the package is not passed?

Senator CHRIS EVANS (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) —As Australian families know, the government is attempting to provide them with financial support, both to support them and to boost economic activity to protect jobs. People know jobs are threatened. We have already seen large numbers of redundancies. This is a real economic crisis. What we want to do is support families. We are trying to give 8.7 million individuals a tax bonus of $950. But the opposition say, ‘No, don’t do that.’ We are trying to find a way to give 2.8 million children $950 as a back-to-school bonus. It is $950 to help families meet the costs of getting the kids back to school. But the opposition say, ‘Don’t do that.’ We want to help 1.5 million single-income families with a bonus, but the opposition say, ‘Don’t support Australian families; we’re going to stop you giving them the economic support you propose and protecting Australian jobs.’ Wake up to yourselves. You are so out of touch. (Time expired)

Senator Sterle interjecting—

Senator Carr interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Sterle and Senator Carr, I am waiting for a question from Senator Farrell.

Senator FARRELL —Mr President, I ask another supplementary question. What will the impact on delivering essential community infrastructure be if the government’s package is not passed?

Senator CHRIS EVANS (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) —The government’s plans include a $28 billion investment in infrastructure—investment in schools, housing, local roads. This investment will benefit communities for the long term but will also provide jobs now. It will employ Australians who are under threat from the global financial crisis. So we are investing in the future—investing in infrastructure, investing in our schools and our roads—and we are providing jobs. But the opposition say: ‘Don’t do that. Don’t invest in Australia. Don’t invest in jobs. We’re going to do everything we can to stop you providing that support to the Australian economy.’ Every P&C in Australia should tune in to the opposition saying: ‘Don’t build them a new hall. Don’t replace classrooms that are in need of reconstruction. Don’t help Australian communities. Don’t help Australian families.’ The opposition is so out of touch with Australians. I urge them to change their minds.

Senator Cormann interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Cormann, you will withdraw that comment.

Senator Cormann —I withdraw.

The PRESIDENT —Stand up and withdraw. That is the normal procedure.

Senator Cormann —I withdraw.

The PRESIDENT —Thank you. I can only proceed with order in the chamber.