Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Can the minister assure the Senate that there will be no increase in the 38 cents per litre excise on petrol under the government Ms Gillard leads?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think it is a hypothetical question. The government's position on that issue has been previously articulated. If the senator is referring to the indication about petrol, I have answered questions on that recently.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thought it was a straightforward question, but I will try another. Can the minister confirm that the automatic indexation of fuel excise abolished by the coalition government will not be reinstated by the current government?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am unaware of the government having announced any changes such as the one the senator refers to. If I can provide any further information, I will seek it from the Treasurer and respond to the senator accordingly.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's how you're going to fund your tax cuts, isn't it?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.

Government senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fifield, ignore the interjection; it is disorderly. Senator Fifield is entitled to be heard in silence.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Some additional context may assist the minister. Can the minister confirm that no motorist will pay additional tax on their fuel as a result of the government's response to the proposed Productivity Commission inquiry into the taxation of fuel?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To clarify, I am being asked to discuss what the government response to a proposed inquiry might be. Self-evidently, that is a hypothetical question.