Senator BRANDIS (Queensland—Attorney-General, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:19): Thank you very much, Senator McKim. Before addressing your question, if I might for a moment put party politics aside and express the concern of those who sit on the government benches, and I am sure of all senators, for the wellbeing of your colleague, Senator Ludlam. May I convey on behalf of the government and of all senators our best wishes for his speedy recovery. The government is immensely proud of the success of Australian multiculturalism. No government in Australian history, either coalition or Labor, did more to advance multiculturalism in this country than the Howard government. Between the time the Howard government commenced in 1996 and the time the Howard government came to an end in 2007, Australia had been transformed, as a result of the policies of that government, into a multicultural society—the stand-out success story of multiculturalism in the world. And I remember an anecdote that Mr Howard told once— Senator McKim: Mr President, I rise on a point of order: I do not recall asking about anecdotes or the time that this country had to suffer under John Howard. What I recall asking about is section 18C, whether the Attorney believes the rights of racists are more important than the harmony of Australia's multicultural society, and why multicultural communities are being ignored by this government. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator McKim. There were four clear elements to your question, which I noted, and the Attorney is certainly within topic. He has given a preamble, but the Attorney-General has heard your point of order. Senator BRANDIS: Mr Howard related a conversation he had with Dr Henry Kissinger at the time of the Sydney Olympics in 2000—Dr Kissinger, one of the great statesmen of the 20th century. And Dr Kissinger said to Mr Howard, then Prime Minister at the time— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Order! Senator McKim, a point of order. Senator McKim: Thank you, Mr President. I have no doubt that you can pre-empt my point of order, but you have described the Attorney's contribution to date as a preamble. I draw your attention to the fact that there is just over 20 seconds left of a two-minute response—that is an awfully long preamble. I wonder if you could draw the Attorney's attention to the substance of the actual questions he was asked? The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator; you do make a fair point. Attorney-General, I remind you of the question. Senator BRANDIS: Senator McKim, you asked me about the government's support for multiculturalism. So, Dr Kissinger said to Mr Howard: 'This is an extraordinary country because it is the most multicultural society in the world and yet it is one of the most harmonious societies I have ever seen.' The PRESIDENT: Order! Pause the clock for a moment. I did indicate that there were four key points to Senator McKim's question. It did include the aspects of multiculturalism, but I think, in fairness, you need to address some of the four elements of his question. Senator BRANDIS: So, Senator McKim, of course I can confirm not only the government's very strong commitment to a harmonious, multicultural society but our very successful track record in being the architects of one. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, a supplementary question.