Senator EGGLESTON (6:28 PM) —This is not asking for one state to be favoured over another; it is asking for a recognition in differences, a genuine difference which exists in the way electricity is generated in Western Australia. This is a uniquely West Australian issue. We are not asking for anything unreasonable; we are asking for reasonable recognition of the fact that electricity is largely generated from gas in Western Australia, unlike the eastern states, which grandly call themselves the national electricity market model, and it is a perfectly rational and reasonable request that we are making. I think that we in Western Australia sometimes get a little bit tired of the fact that the Treasury and federal government departments do not recognise differences between our state—which is, after all, a third of this continent—and the eastern states.

Senator WONG —I’m from Adelaide. Don’t call me ‘eastern states’.

Senator EGGLESTON —We were very reluctant to join—

The CHAIRMAN —Order! It being 6.30 pm, the sitting of the committee is suspended until 7.30 pm.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Senator Forshaw)—Order! The question is that amendments (1) to (4) on sheet 6025 moved by Senator Cormann and also on behalf of Senators Cash, Back, Eggleston and Adams be agreed to.

Question negatived.