Senator DI NATALE (Victoria—Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:12): My question is for the Minister representing and Special Minister of State, Minister Cormann. Minister Cormann, today there are some reports that a senator's parliamentary entitlements were subsidised by a Chinese government entity. Australia is one of the only countries in the Asia-Pacific that allow donations from foreign citizens or entities. Former Treasurer Wayne Swan recently said that foreign donations are potentially skewing the decision making in favour of donors, and many Australians would agree with the former Treasurer, Mr Swan. When will the government introduce a ban on foreign donations for political and parliamentary purposes? Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, I raise a point of order. I can barely hear Senator Di Natale. The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate spent the whole of his question yelling at him and everyone else. I ask you at this early stage in the history of this parliament to bring the opposition leader to account and ask her to shut up. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left! Your leader is on her feet, seeking the call. Senator Wong: On the point of order, I do apologise, Mr President. I was just overcome by the extraordinary chutzpah of the Leader of the Greens, who voted against banning foreign donations and now asks a question about it. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Wong. This is an appropriate time to remind all senators that interjections are disorderly. We need to hear the questioner and the minister giving the answer. A point of order, Senator Whish-Wilson? Senator Whish-Wilson: With all due respect, President, I could not hear the question either, and I am sitting behind him. Could I ask that he gets the chance to ask it again, please. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! There was a lot of noise in the chamber. I have had now two requests because the question was not heard. Senator Di Natale, would you repeat the main portion of your question? Senator DI NATALE: I know I am in a bit of strife when Senator Macdonald is defending me! My question is to the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, Minister Cormann. As I said, there are reports today that a senator's parliamentary entitlements were subsidised by a Chinese government entity. We know that Australia is one of only a few countries in the Asia-Pacific that allows donations from foreign citizens or, indeed, foreign entities. We heard from former Treasurer Wayne Swan who said recently that donations from foreign entities are potentially skewing the decision-making in favour of donors. Many Australians right around the country would agree with that proposition. The question is this: when will this government introduce a ban on foreign donations for political and parliamentary purposes?