QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (14:18): Senator Liddle, if that's the nub of your concern—that you won't be able to see me at estimates—I can tell you now that I will be at estimates, and you will be very able to ask me questions. In fact, I not only sit answering questions around Indigenous issues— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I remind senators that I asked for order!

Senator McCARTHY: I sit and answer questions on health, on aged care, on local government, on regional governments— Senator Henderson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister McCarthy, please resume your seat. I think that was you, Senator Nampijinpa Price; apologies in advance if it wasn't. I have asked for silence, and that is what I expect.

Minister McCarthy. Senator McCARTHY: They've got form. I'm here answering— The PRESIDENT: Minister McCarthy, please resume your seat.

Senator Henderson? Senator Henderson: President, just to clarify, to correct the record: that was actually me making concerns about Indigenous boarding schools and the cuts to Indigenous boarding schools— The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson! Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

I'm waiting for order! Thank you, Senator Ayres! Order!

I take question time seriously. When I ask for silence, that is what I expect. My apologies, Senator Nampijinpa Price.

Senator Henderson, you stood up with right intentions, but, no, then you proceeded to launch into some statement which you were not entitled to make. It's not a joke when I call for order, and, when you completely disregard that, it's disrespectful to me. Senator McCARTHY: The issue of closing the gap and reducing those targets is incredibly important for First Nations people in this country, and I do call on the Senate and all senators to take part and give the scrutiny that's required.