Senator FIFIELD (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Minister for Communications, Minister for the Arts and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Government) (14:53): Thank you, Mr President— Senator Conroy: You were sitting next to him when he said it! The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Conroy! Senator FIFIELD: and I thank Senator O'Neill for her question. Senator Conroy, I not only recall I was sitting next to Mr Morrow; I also recall that your lively presence was in attendance at the estimates committee. The questions at Senate estimates related to a counterfactual scenario which nbn have prepared because it was the view of shareholder ministers—and I think one that nbn shared, because they took up the suggestion—that it was prudent and good management to periodically look at what a counterfactual might be to demonstrate the merits of the multitechnology mix approach that nbn was pursuing, and that is what nbn did. The reason why an all-fibre— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Conroy interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Conroy, your leader is on her feet. Senator Wong: Mr President, this is all very interesting, but the point of order I raise is relevance. The minister was asked about an answer he gave in this chamber which we assert is inconsistent with an answer subsequently given by the CEO of nbn. The question was asked: was the minister mistaken or did he deliberately mislead the Senate? It is a very important question and he should respond to it. The PRESIDENT: Senator O'Neill also asked the question: was the minister aware of the statement? So the minister is in order in the first element of the question. Senator FIFIELD: As I was saying, it is good practice, which nbn is following, to look at a counterfactual. Obviously, a counterfactual has to be counter to what is actually being done. That is the essence of a counterfactual. What nbn co is looking at is—I think it is no secret—a proposition which has been abroad not just in the parliament but in the community, where there are some who have the view that an all-fibre rollout is what nbn should do. (Time expired)