QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:56): Again, I would say that we are making changes to improve the aged-care system. As part of that, obviously, we will continue to listen to the experiences of older Australians, families and those who work in aged care. Senator Ruston: They don't want you to listen; they want you to fix it.
Senator WONG: Senator Ruston, could I just answer the question without you constantly talking at me? Is that possible? Senator Ruston interjecting— Senator WONG: Really?
The PRESIDENT: Order! I have, on a number of occasions, called the Senate to order—particularly you, Senator Ruston. If you can't listen in silence, I invite you to leave the chamber.
Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I'll try again. This government does believe older Australians are entitled to dignity and care.
This government does know that hard decisions have to be made, including some measures that those opposite oppose, to find the savings to put into the aged-care system, and we will continue to do that. You are— Senator Ruston interjecting— Senator Watt: Seriously? It's not even your question.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, I just sat the minister down halfway through her answer. Senator McKenzie interjecting— Senator Watt interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McKenzie and Senator Watt, come to order.
Order on my left and my right— Senator Ayres interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Ayres. If I call you by name, I would expect you to continue to listen in silence or to come to silence and not continue being so disrespectful. Minister, have you finished your answer?
Senator WONG: I will try again and make this point: the government does believe that older Australians deserve dignity and respect. The government does recognise that we have to put more funds and more resources into the aged-care system, and we are. The government recognises that we need to improve the way the assessments— (Time expired)