QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:28): I'd prefer he stayed for all of this, President, if he could—he might pick up on a few things! More than anybody else, Senator Bragg has hampered and undermined the government's efforts to build new homes. Despite his efforts, leading the Liberals on this issue into a cul-de-sac— Senator Bragg interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Bragg, you might think it's humorous, but I have just called you to order.

I've invited you to leave the chamber. You are not in a debate with me and you are not in a debate with the minister. This is question time.

Senator Bragg: I'm trying to help. The PRESIDENT: Senator Bragg, I will name you if you keep disrespecting my direction, and my direction is that you sit in silence or you leave the chamber. That's the choice you have.

Senator AYRES: I shouldn't have wound him up. The truth is more than 660,000 homes have been built since we came to office. Housing starts are up 26 per cent since last year.

Senator Bragg: What about completions? Senator AYRES: Well, I'll give you a tip. In order to complete a house, you've got to start the house.

That's the order of the process; that's the way it works. Completions are up too. We're delivering 55,000 affordable new homes under those programs, with more than 6,000 of those already built.

(Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Brown, a second supplementary?