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) (14:24): We will deliver the NBN quicker and at lower cost than those opposite would have. This government and nbn management take a clear-eyed view of the NBN and they update, as is appropriate, in the corporate plan. Senator Conroy, in contrast, sought to create a culture of fear and denial in the nbn organisation. Anyone who came forward and said anything other than— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Order, Minister. Senator Wong: Mr President, I rise on a point of order going to direct relevance. I know Senator Conroy is big enough and tough enough to listen endlessly to Senator Fifield's obsession with him, but we were not asking about Senator Fifield's obsession with Senator Conroy; we were asking him questions about this government and their policy. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Wong. I did hear the minister say at the beginning of his answer, basically, that he did not concede. He did not use those words, but that was the inference drawn, and that was the question: would the government concede. I will ask the minister to continue. Senator FIFIELD: This government is being open, up-front and transparent, as is nbn co, but Senator Conroy only wanted to hear good news that did not reflect the reality from the nbn organisation. Senator Wong: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. How is a question, which— Senator Cormann: Are you the protection racket for Senator Conroy? Senator Wong: I will take the interjection. The protection racket is on Mr Brough. We have seen it all in here and we have seen it in the other place. The PRESIDENT: No, you will not take the interjection. Senator Wong, stick to the point of order. Senator Wong: I ask you, Mr President, to rule, in response to a question about government policy, on how it can possibly be relevant and in accordance with the standing orders for the minister to consistently and persistently talk about a senator who is no longer a minister? How can it possibly be 'directly relevant' as per the standing orders, which you, Mr President, are obliged to uphold? The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Wong. As I indicated earlier, I believe the minister, by inference in his answer, indicated that the government did not concede. I have always allowed ministers to enhance their answers, providing they stay on topic. I will be listening carefully to the minister's response. Senator FIFIELD: Mr President, I am guilty as charged. My fondness for Senator Conroy has been laid bare. I admit it. But I reject the assertion that nbn's costs are not taken into account in the corporate plan.