QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:18): Well, I again would say that we believe—the Albanese government believes—that veterans should be treated with respect and should be provided with support. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Opposition senators interjecting— Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, which part of 'Order!' does not apply to you?

Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I will start again. We believe those who serve our country should be— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I will start again. The Albanese Labor government believes veterans should be treated with respect.

Veterans should be supported and cared for. We believe that those who serve our country should be treated with respect and care. This is driven, for example— An opposition senator interjecting— Senator WONG: If I may— The PRESIDENT: I have called for order two or three times and been completely ignored.

That is disrespectful to me as the President of the Senate. I've asked you to come to order or leave the chamber. Senator WONG: This is why we dealt with the chronic underfunding and underresourcing of the Department of Veterans' Affairs that occurred under you opposite, where 42,000 veteran compensation claims were not dealt with.

Those who lecture now ought to remember what you delivered in government. (Time expired)