QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:22): Senator, I again say to you that we will make responsible decisions in this budget. It's a budget framed by difficult global circumstances, and we know that the inflation challenge that is being driven by what is occurring in the Middle East and its impact on global energy markets and, consequently, on supply chains is substantial.

We understand that. So what you will have— The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie? Senator McKenzie: On direct relevance and the Reserve Bank governor's comments.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator McKenzie. The minister is being relevant. Senator WONG: That interjection just demonstrates the lack of any understanding on that side about the circumstances that the government and the country face.

My discussion about how inflation is being driven by the global circumstances—this shadow minister pretends that's not relevant! How do you even deal with something when you are in denial about what is driving it? It's a bit like what is happening on your party's side.

You are in denial about the fact that voters have walked away from you in droves, and you refuse to look in the mirror— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, second supplementary?