Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:43): Let me try to deal with some of Senator McKim's questions. In relation to looking at adaptation to climate change matters, as my colleague Senator Sinodinos said in his answer in relation to the reconfiguration of CSIRO resources, there is indeed a reconfiguration within the CSIRO that is shifting from looking at whether or not climate change is happening to certain issues around the response to it, perhaps such as this one. I would again emphasise to the chamber that the Commonwealth has significantly escalated its response under the arrangements set up between the Commonwealth and all the states and territories and New Zealand for handling these types of emergencies— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator McKim, on a point of order? Senator McKim: Mr President, I have a point of order. The second part of my question went specifically to whether the government will commission an independent inquiry. It is a yes or no answer. Given that he has 20 seconds left, I would ask you to draw the minister's attention to that part of the question. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, on the point of order? Senator Cormann: Mr President, on the point of order: it would of course help if Senator McKim were to address these sorts of questions to the minister who actually has portfolio responsibility for those matters, who is Senator Brandis. Honourable senators interjecting — The PRESIDENT: Order on both sides. Senator McKim, in relation to your point of order: the minister was being relevant to the first part of your question, so the minister has the call. Senator BIRMINGHAM: I happen to consider the CSIRO to be independent and I happen to consider that their ongoing research work is indeed very independent and very important. It is quite appropriate as an outfit to have a look at matters in relation to climate change adaptation. But I do want to assure all Tasmanians that the Commonwealth is giving the maximum possible assistance to Tasmania. (Time expired)