QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:00): Thank you, Senator Cash, for that question. I make the point that we have been making for some time: this is a conflict and a shock to global energy markets which is having an effect on our economy that is being experienced both in terms of supply but also price.

I have laid out here the plan that the Prime Minister announced on Monday as well as the measures, in the last weeks, the government has taken to shore-up supply. As part of that, the Prime Minister has determined to address the nation tonight because this is an unprecedented shock to global energy markets that is impacting on the economy. If I may say, what that question again demonstrates is that this opposition is simply not up to the task.

We are facing a conflict in the Middle East. We are facing effects on global supply—the largest shock in energy markets since the 1970s— Senator O'Sullivan interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator O'Sullivan!

Senator WONG: And they are complaining that the Prime Minister wants to speak to the country about how we're dealing with it! That just says something about the opposition. If we look at what's been reported about the leaked talking points, where they say that the message of the day is 'to create doubt within the public about whether the government had an adequate fuel plan', that really demonstrates why this is not a serious opposition, why they are not up to the task, why they had the result in the election and why they continue to demonstrate an absence of what is required to lead this country.

Senator Henderson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When you've quite finished, Senator Henderson. Senator Ayres interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ayres!

The chamber will come to order. Senator Cash, first supplementary?