QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:03): As Senator Gallagher said today, the Prime Minister has been clear that he did not mean for those comments to be interpreted in the way they have been by those opposite. I again say Prime Minister Takaichi is a friend of Australia and a friend of the Prime Minister.

I make this point: this is a relationship— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, I'm sorry. Please resume your seat. I've called for order on my left.

Senator Ruston, you were one of the people that was out of order the first time around, and you've continued to be. Please come to order. Minister Wong, please continue.

Senator WONG: Again, what I would say is that we appreciated very much Prime Minister Takaichi's visit to Australia and the Prime Minister was honoured to receive her, just as I was honoured to deliver the keynote address at the event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nara treaty. We will continue to work in our relationship with Japan, which is so important to strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Sharma— Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I'm sorry, Senator Sharma. Resume your seat. Senator Ruston, I've asked you to come to order; I expect you to come to order.

Senator Sharma, second supplementary?