QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WALSH (Victoria—Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth) (14:56): The reason that there is an administrator in place today is that our government appointed him, Senator Kovacic. Again, we do not tolerate any corruption in the construction industry. Senator Henderson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Walsh, please resume your seat.

Senator Kovacic? Senator Kovacic: On a point of order, President, yet again the minister is not answering my direct question. I did not ask whether the government established the administration.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Kovacic. I have reminded the Senate on many occasions that, when you make a point of order, it's not an opportunity to make a statement. I have listened carefully.

There is no point of order. The minister is being relevant to your question. Minister Wong?

Senator Wong: I'm asking Senator Henderson to withdraw the accusation she made across the chamber as part of her interjections. The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear an interjection. Senator Henderson?

Senator Henderson: For the benefit of the chamber, I didn't make any direct allegation other than to raise concerns about corruption— The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, resume your seat. I indicated to the chamber— Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister Wong!

I indicated to the chamber that I didn't hear the interjection, but I would ask you to withdraw. You're not in a debate with me. I don't need an explanation.

Either you choose to withdraw or you don't. Senator Henderson? Senator Henderson: President, on the point of order, it is important to point out— The PRESIDENT: I'm not debating with you— Senator Henderson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson, I am not in a debate with you.

Resume your seat. If you wish to seek leave at a later stage to make a personal explanation, that is entirely your prerogative. Senator Wong interjecting— Senator Hume interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order!

Senators Wong and Hume! Senator Hume interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, such disrespect. My goodness.

I'm asking you to come to order. Senator Scarr interjecting— The PRESIDENT: No, Senator Scarr. I don't need your help.

Thank you. Minister Wong stood and asked that Senator Henderson withdraw a comment. I have indicated and I will indicate now to the chamber for the third time that I did not hear the interjection.

I've invited Senator Henderson to withdraw. It is entirely your prerogative whether you withdraw or not. You can simply withdraw.

If you wish, at some later stage in the proceedings, to ask leave to make a personal explanation, that is your prerogative, but you are not doing that with me. I simply asked you to withdraw. You either withdraw or you don't.

Senator Henderson: For the benefit of the chamber, I will withdraw. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order across the chamber! Minister Wong and Senator Henderson, let's move on.

Senator WALSH: Well, really, it seems that when you choose to ask questions about the CFMEU, you should all give yourselves a giant trigger warning because you can't handle the questions and you can't handle the truth, which is that this government has done more than you ever did to take on the issue of corruption in the construction industry. It took a Labor government to take these issues on.

Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Walsh, please resume your seat. I'm waiting for silence. It's not the role of those on my left to yell so loud that I cannot hear.

I'm not going to name you individually. You all know who was shouting and who wasn't. Minister Walsh, please continue.

Senator WALSH: Again, our government has done more to stamp out corruption in the construction industry than you ever did. The allegations that you're talking about are in the public sphere because we appointed an administrator who is doing his job. The PRESIDENT: Senator Kovacic, a second supplementary?