QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:37): I would make two points. The first is the royal commission is independent. The second is the government will continue to act on the advice from security agencies.

I appreciate that you have a different view about intelligence and security matters to us— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge, point of order? Senator Shoebridge: It's a question of relevance.

My question was about Home Affairs. There has been no security assessment banning this individual from coming to the country. It's a red herring.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. As I've reminded you on previous occasions, a point of order is not an opportunity to debate the matter. The minister is being directly relevant.

Senator WONG: I'll again say what I said: unlike you, Senator Shoebridge, we will always work to act in the national interest—and that includes considering the advice of intelligence and security agencies. These are decisions which are made in accordance with the statutory framework, and the government respects the independence of the royal commission. The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?