QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:56): We know that Australians are doing it tough with cost-of-living pressures, and we know that includes the impact of inflation and the impact of decisions that the Reserve Bank makes independently. And that is why the government continues to be focused on delivering real cost-of-living relief, helping Australians under pressure here and now, whilst continuing to build the economy and our resilience for the future.

Senator, I understand that most of the cost-of-living measures that we have put before this chamber have been opposed by you, whether it was higher wages for workers in early childhood education and care, the protection of penalty rates and all the reforms which are about giving young Australians a fair crack at getting into their homes. This is about acting on the cost of living.

We recognise that these are times when people are under pressure, but we do not believe the answer is the sort of answer that you and your mates in One Nation seek. We don't think that sacking workers or cutting wages or scrapping paid parental leave or hacking into workers' superannuation or gutting Medicare and bulk-billing or giving more tax breaks to property investors is the way to respond to these circumstances.

Senator, the problem for you is you are so busy chasing Senator Hanson, you are so busy looking to that part of the electorate, you've actually forgotten what it is to be a mainstream party of government, because you're so interested in covering up your Right flank. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, before I call you for your supplementary, I'm going to remind you that, when you asked the question to the minister, you could have heard a pin drop in this place, because that is the respect and courtesy which was shown to you.

The minute the minister got up, the interjections from you and other senators started. Despite me calling order, they continued. I ask you to reflect on that when you ask your question and when the minister gets up to respond.

Senator McKenzie.