Senator JOHNSTON (Western Australia—Minister for Defence) (14:44): I know what I do on that day to day basis in this portfolio. If that is incidental, that might be something someone wants to call it, but I am firstly dealing with repairing the budgetary mess you left. This is a very big task. I know the senator would not want to hear that, as I have said, the former Chief of Army said that funding cuts under Labor would risk soldiers' lives. Former Chief of Army Peter Leahy said: The Gillard government has cut so much money out of defence that it risks placing the lives of soldiers, sailors and airmen in danger. These are the sorts of things I am dealing with today. He went on to say, talking about Minister Smith: The minister owes them more than a simple statement of 'do the same but with less'. The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Cameron. Senator Cameron: Mr President, I rise on a point of order as to relevance. The question was clear. It was about whether this minister was an incidental minister or whether he was actually doing his job. He is not responding to that. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my both sides! In relation to the point of order, Senator Cameron, the minister up front, in response to Senator Conroy's question, indicated that, if that is incidental then so be it. He has answered the question and now is continuing with his answer. Minister, you are directly relevant. Senator JOHNSTON: Thank you, Mr President. What I am dealing with is a complete failure to resource adequately the Australian Defence Force and the Defence portfolio. Peter Leahy, very good Chief of Army as he was, said: The Minister owes them more than simply a statement of ‘do the same with less’. They will be wondering how they will achieve these tasks when the Minister has, over the last few years, ripped huge sums of money out of the budget. The planners might even wonder why they are even drafting a new White Paper.” That is what you left me to repair. Senator Conroy interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Conroy, you have asked your question. Senator JOHNSTON: The now Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove said: I do worry that we are developing some gaps in our defence structure that will be very tough to claw back later on. That is what I am doing—trying to claw back your mess. (Time expired)