Senator CASH (Western Australia—Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Employment and Minister for Women) (14:19): Unfortunately, yes, I can—and, quite frankly, they are disgusting and should be condemned by all of us. Recently, in Senate estimates, we heard that CFMEU organiser Michael Greenfield allegedly made sexually derogatory comments to a female worker on the Barangaroo site in Sydney. Mr Greenfield allegedly said to the woman, who was to meet with Fair Work building inspectors: 'I hope you brought your knee pads; you're going to be sucking off those dogs all day.' In another case against the CFMEU, the Federal Court found that union official Mark O'Brien taunted a foreman, saying, 'Hey scabby, gay boy, gay boy, gay boy, scabby.' At the same time— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Just a moment, Senator Moore. Order, on both sides! Senator Moore: I know the minister is making direct quotes. I understand that, but I am deeply concerned about the language that was used both then and now in this place. Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, on my right! Just a moment, Senator Moore. I want to listen to the point of order in silence. Senator Moore: I am concerned about the language that has been used in this place and also yesterday; in the extract from the minister's contribution yesterday it was the same thing. I understand she is making a point, I understand she is doing quotation, but I am deeply concerned by what is taking place in this place. Senator Conroy: Which is actually on TV. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I am going to take advice from the Clerk first and then I will address further points of order. I will listen to further points on this point of order. Senator Brandis: Mr President, on the point of order: the question was about conduct, and the conduct included threats of physical violence and vulgar abuse—sexist abuse and homophobic abuse. It is entirely appropriate for the minister, in responding to that question, to quote the very words that comprised the conduct which was the subject of the question. I point out that, shamefully, notwithstanding the gravity of the sexism and homophobia that was evident, Senator Cameron and Senator Collins were laughing aloud during the answer. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: That is not part of the point of order. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on both sides! If you want me to determine a point of order, I need to listen to the points of order. Senator Cameron, on the same point of order. Senator Cameron: Mr President, on the point of order: the Attorney-General, of all people, was misleading you and misleading the Senate. He stated that these were facts. These were allegations. Allegations being treated as facts in this place is not correct, and we should not be using this place as a kangaroo court. Senator Cormann: Mr President, on the same point of order: Senator Moore expressed concerns about the language being used. We share that concern. It is highly inappropriate language. But, exercising our freedom of speech in this parliament, in order to make the point to substantiate what a serious concern there is in relation to these matters, the minister needs to quote what actually happened. The minister should be allowed to proceed with her answer. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I have listened to the points of order. I will make two comments. Firstly, just because you state something in parliament does not shield you from the fact that the language could be inappropriate. That is the first point I make, and I took that advice from the Clerk. Secondly, I am concerned about the language that is being used, but I am also concerned about the rights of individual senators to be able to express what they want to express in response to an answer. With the indulgence of the Senate, for the remainder of today's question time I would ask that the language be contained to what we would consider to be appropriate language. I am going to reflect on this and report back to the Senate tomorrow in relation to how language will be used in questions in the future. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I have made my ruling. Senator Brandis Senator Brandis: Mr President, given that you have foreshadowed that you are going to reflect upon the matter, will you be prepared to take submissions on the point, perhaps by writing? This is a very important question: should senators have the right, as Senator Cormann has said, of freedom of speech to quote language—not language of their own, but language in direct speech—to directly make the very point that they seek to make in their answer? The PRESIDENT: Yes, I will take submissions from senators if they wish to conduct those submissions to me prior to tomorrow morning. Senator Cash, with those remarks could I ask you to exercise the concerns that I have at the moment. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left! You are asking me to do things and now you are not giving me the chance to actually implement what you are asking. I expect a little bit more respect. Senator Cash. Senator CASH: I would make the point that, in the second case, I was quoting from a decision of the Federal Court that found that union official Mark O'Brien did taunt a foreman by saying, 'Hey scabby, gay boy, gay boy, gay boy, scabby.' That was a finding of the Federal Court. At the same time— Senator Wong: Mr President, on a point of order— Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, on my right! Senator Wong, I heard what Senator Cash just said. She did not use language that I considered to be inappropriate on that occasion. Senator Cash. Senator CASH: Mr President, do you know what I find quite disgusting? These instances in this place are findings of the Federal Court. It is disgusting. I think it is disgusting. What is so horrifying is the reaction of those on the other side. Have a look at the questions that you asked this side today. You did not like our responses. They were about what you say is bullying, intimidation and harassment of kids in workplaces. Yet when we stand here on this side and put that same behaviour back to you on the other side, you sit there and make fun and defend your mates. Then Senator Wong will stand up and say, 'But Senator Doug Cameron—'. He is one of the biggest defenders of the CFMEU. For once just listen to what these people say and condemn it. (Time expired) Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on both sides! Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I know tensions are high, I know this is an awkward issue, but let's just exercise some restraint. Senator Cameron interjecting— Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron and Senator Macdonald! Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on both sides! Senator Cameron interjecting— Senator Seselja: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Senator Cameron used quite unparliamentary language just then in referring to the Attorney-General. I am not going to repeat it but I think he should be asked to withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, if you feel inclined to withdraw that comment it would assist the chamber. Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Senator Cameron: If it would please the Senate, I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Cameron.