Senator IAN MACDONALD (Queensland) (14:57): The last question for the year is a policy question on the government's good work in Northern Australia. I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, Senator Scullion. If the minister could— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Polley on a point of order. Senator Polley: This is question time, not an opportunity for him to carry on with his verbal diarrhoea. The PRESIDENT: Senator Polley, you reflected adversely on Senator Macdonald and I would ask you to withdraw. Senator Polley: I withdraw and ask that the senator returns to the question rather than his preamble. The PRESIDENT: On the same point of order, Senator Cormann. Senator Cormann: Going back to an earlier point of order during question time, not only was the Leader of the Opposition interjecting very loudly, but she was leading a pack of interjections from the other side. She was encouraging interjections from the other side and I think you should call the Leader of the Opposition to order. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on the same point of order. Senator Wong: On the point of order, the fact that the Leader of the Government in the Senate, and at times others in this chamber, do not deal with Senator Macdonald, they cannot then complain when similar behaviour is returned in kind. Senator Brandis: Mr President, on the point of order: when you rule, you will note that what Senator Wong just said in her contribution was an open declaration of intent to defy the standing orders and to defy your rulings by her and, at her encouragement, by those who sit behind her. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Brandis. Senator Conroy: Mr President, on the point of order: seriously, you cannot possibly uphold Senator Brandis's contribution there. He is the person who refuses to actually act as a leader and deal with Senator Macdonald and then seeks to let him off the leash every now and then. So I ask you to absolutely disregard Senator Brandis's basic, blatant rants. The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order, Senator Conroy. Senator Bernardi, if you really think this is going to assist, on the same point of order. Senator Bernardi: Mr President, on the point of order: may I just wish everyone a merry Christmas. The PRESIDENT: Senator Bernardi, there is no point of order. Senator Cameron, I hope it is new material for the same point of order. Senator Cameron: It is on the same point of order. Mr President, I, like everyone, have sat here and watched the bad behaviour of Senator Macdonald day after day. And it is even worse when he tries to verbal the Leader of the Opposition and when he continually interjects on every woman Labor senator who stands in this place. His behaviour has been appalling, his behaviour should not be tolerated, and—with the greatest respect, Mr President, you should do something about it because they have got no control over him. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on both sides! I will take all the points of order collectively. It is the last question time. I will take the points of order collectively, but I remind all senators: some are more serial offenders than others— Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right. The points of order have been relevant in respect of the behaviour of many senators in this place. I think all senators need to take some ownership and leadership in relation to question time in particular and to behaviour. I think if we end it on that note, on the last question of the year, I will call Senator Macdonald to ask his question. Senator IAN MACDONALD: Thank you, and could I say merry Christmas to the new leader of the Labor Party, Senator Katy Gallagher, and the new deputy leader, Senator Cameron. Merry Christmas. The PRESIDENT: To the question, Senator Macdonald. Senator IAN MACDONALD: I did start my question; I was halfway through it, but perhaps I could restart. Can the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia inform the Senate about recent steps that have been taken to implement the commitments made by the Liberal-National Party in the North Australian white paper released in July, particularly regarding development of scientific research, industry and infrastructure in the north of Australia.