QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:14): Can I make this point—that the— An opposition senator interjecting— Senator WONG: I am answering the question. Thank you for the advice; I appreciate it! The risk to relationships is borne by all parties in this chamber, and there are those opposite who have engaged— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

Senator WONG: who are so desperate to score political points that they are confecting a diplomatic issue to do so. We've seen that with Senator Cash's public statements. I would invite those opposite to, with the government, engage in bipartisan support of the Japan relationship, which is what it has historically enjoyed.