QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:34): I think that's a comment, Senator. You're making a set of assumptions about conflict. Everything I do and everything the government is doing is working to deter and avert conflict because we understand, through the history of experience and also what we can see around this world, the potential consequences for our country and our people of a conflict in our region, and everything we do, both in the strategic and military domain and in my domain is about averting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge?

Senator Shoebridge: My point of order is on relevance. My question was about US bases making Australia a target, and the minister has not touched it. I know it's awkward, but she hasn't touched it.

The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant to your question, and I'll continue to listen carefully. Senator Shoebridge: I know it's embarrassing. Senator WONG: Senator, what is embarrassing is the position that you take, which is to pretend that we can avert our eyes from the strategic circumstances of our region.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?