Senator BRANDIS (Queensland—Attorney-General, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:46): Senator Wong, as you know, no findings adverse to Senator Sinodinos whatsoever have been made— Senator Wong interjecting— Senator BRANDIS: and given that you know that—as you have, just across the table, intimated to me that you do know that—it is very inappropriate for you to base a question on an innuendo, well knowing that no adverse finding against the honourable senator was made. The PRESIDENT: Point of order, Senator Wong? Senator Wong: My point of order is direct relevance. I referred to the New South Wales independent investigation against corruption. I referred to that evidence and I asked if the Prime Minister had asked Senator Sinodinos to provide a full account of his conduct before he appointed him to the cabinet. A discussion about whether or not there are ICAC findings is not an answer to that question. The PRESIDENT: Yes, I accept that, Senator Wong. Senator Brandis, you have one minute and 35 seconds in which to answer the question. Senator BRANDIS: I intend to, but I just thought I should begin by pointing out the inappropriateness and, indeed, unfairness of the premise of the question, when the senator well knows that no adverse finding was made. You are referring to evidence, Senator. Evidence is given in courts, tribunals, commissions and hearings all the time. Senator Kim Carr: Certainly not given here! The PRESIDENT: Order! On my left. Senator BRANDIS: All sorts of allegations are made against people all the time, and the fact that the statements are made does not make them true. If they are not supported by a finding by the relevant court, tribunal, commission or board, they amount to nothing. Now, coming directly to your question, Senator Wong, the Prime Minister most certainly was satisfied that, when he invited Senator Sinodinos to be a member of his government, in every respect he satisfied the requirements of the ministerial code of conduct and was a person of integrity, as we all know him to be.