QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:03): First, I would express regret that anyone would pass without getting the support they need. I would; of course I would. I think we all understand—and some of us in this chamber, and others in the community, would have had personal experience of people being in a position where they don't get the care they need.

The government is very conscious— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Ruston. Senator Ruston: Once again on relevance, President, I asked only one question.

The minister has gone nowhere near answering whether the Prime Minister is aware how many people died last year while waiting for a homecare package. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Ruston. The minister is being relevant to your question, and I'll keep listening carefully.

Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When you're quite finished, Senator McKenzie, I'll call the minister again. Senator WONG: I again say it is a matter of sadness that people in this country, under both governments, have not been able to receive care in time.

What I would say is that the minister and the government are working hard to ensure that we provide more places, that we reduce wait times and that we respond to the fact that the ageing population does call for more care— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, second supplementary?