QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:21): I would ask that the President consider how that is possibly a supplementary question to the primary. An honourable senator interjecting— Senator WONG: Government works on, with respect—I suppose it's a point of order. Is it?

Do you want me to take a point of order? The PRESIDENT: Yes. Senator WONG: Perhaps I should take a point of order.

An honourable senator interjecting— Senator WONG: I'm trying to respect that. On the point of order— Senator Waters: I asked you in your capacity as minister. The PRESIDENT: Senator Waters!

Senator WONG: The fact that the Greens political party have a particular view about the motivations of certain companies does not make a supplementary question relevant to the primary. This is a different portfolio. We have segued from a national security issue and an assertion about that.

Senator Hanson-Young: Point of order. Senator WONG: I haven't finished. I'm on the point of order.

Senator Hanson-Young: Oh, I thought you were wasting your time. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, withdraw that. Senator Hanson-Young: I withdraw.

Senator WONG: It doesn't make it relevant to then go to the Treasury portfolio. I'm just making a point about, maybe, people asking questions in the way the Westminster system envisages. Senator Hanson-Young: A point of order—the question was asked to Senator Wong in her capacity as representing the Prime Minister.

The PRESIDENT: Yes, thank you, Senator Hanson-Young. I have sought the advice of the Clerk, and the question is relevant to the primary question. Senator Waters interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Waters, I think the minister is still answering.

Senator WONG: I've accepted the ruling, and I'm moving on, Senator Waters. I would say to you that I am advised that the oil and gas industry contributed almost $12 billion in taxes in 2023-24. The PRESIDENT: Senator Waters, second supplementary?