QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:33): I thank Senator Tyrrell for her question. I am not the Minister for Social Services, as you would be aware, but I am representing the minister today. I appreciate your question.

Opposition senators interjecting— Senator FARRELL: The senator has asked a really genuine question. She is representing her constituencies in Tasmania. Senator Scarr: It's about 30 seconds, Don.

Senator FARRELL: I think the minimum you could do, Senator Scarr, is to give her the courtesy— The PRESIDENT: Senator Tyrrell, on a point of order? Senator Tyrrell: No disrespect, but I think that we should get back to the question, if that's okay. The PRESIDENT: I'll remind the minister of your question.

Senator FARRELL: Thank you for that intervention, Senator Tyrrell. Just so you're clear, I was simply defending your right to ask this question on behalf of your constituents. You've asked a very— Senator McGrath: A point of order on relevance.

I think we'd all agree that the minister, as much as we do like him, has not gone anywhere near answering the question that was put by the senator. The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant. He has acknowledged the question.

He has further acknowledged that he is not the directly responsible minister. Senator FARRELL: I can see that the opposition is completely opposed to me answering this question in a proper way. I will take this issue up with the minister.

We've got a very fine minister in this space who's very determined to do the best for the community generally, but in particular Tasmania, and I will come back with a proper response to your question. The PRESIDENT: Senator Tyrrell, first supplementary?