QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:17): The Prime Minister has dealt with this. He has. As much as it's inconvenient for you, Senator Ruston, the Prime Minister— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I'm sorry, Minister Gallagher; please resume your seat.

Senator Ruston was given the respect of asking her question in silence. The minute I called the minister, the interjections began again. You are to listen in respectful silence or I invite you to leave the chamber.

Minister Gallagher, please continue. Senator GALLAGHER: The Prime Minister has dealt with the issues that were raised by Senator Ruston. I will go on to say that, in addition to the other areas where I've spoken about the Prime Minister's record of achievement, there is another area.

I think in time when people reflect back they will see a prime minister who for the first time ever in this country prioritised women's health—on the pill, in endometriosis, on pelvic pain, in menopause and on all of the areas that when those opposite had a decade in government they did nothing. They didn't list the modern contraceptive pill for 30 years or a modern menopause pill for 20 years.

This Prime Minister has done both and put their record to shame. I could go on. There are other areas where women's policy has been prioritised for the first time, and all of us are proud to work with him.

Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, I would appreciate it if your own frontbench came to order. Senator Ruston, a second supplementary?