Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:01): As I indicated to the Senate in my very comprehensive statement on Monday, as Special Minister of State I worked in a nonpartisan fashion, in a confidential fashion and, indeed, with a focus on resolving problems within the rules and within the appropriate framework, of course. The PRESIDENT: Senator Gallagher, a point of order? Senator Gallagher: A point of order on relevance. The question has not been addressed by the minister. The question directly goes to: was the decision to agree to back pay made unilaterally or was the Prime Minister consulted? That is the question we have asked the minister to answer. The PRESIDENT: The minister has been in order. The minister is only halfway through his answer. Minister, you have the call. Senator CORMANN: Again, for the benefit of Labor senators, no rent was paid. There was no back pay of rent and there was no prospective payment of rent. I fulfilled— The PRESIDENT: A point of order, Senator Wong? Senator Wong: On relevance. There is one question only. Did he make the decision unilaterally or did he consult the Prime Minister or his office? That is the question. The PRESIDENT: The question is slightly broader than that, Senator Wong. The question actually goes to payment of rent or agreement to payment of rent, and whether he made that decision. The question has to relate to another portion. It cannot be, 'Did he agree to make a decision?' It is the particular decision. Senator Wong: The decision. The PRESIDENT: Yes, that is right. The minister has been answering about the decision that he did not pay rent, and he is referring to his statement of comprehensive answers yesterday. I am listening to the minister. The minister is aware of the question. I call the minister. Senator CORMANN: Thank you very much, Mr President. To assist Senator Wong, this was very much a routine matter, similar to matters raised with me by Labor members and senators from time to time. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, a point of order? Senator Wong: It is not relevant, Mr President, whether or not he talks to Labor senators. It is not relevant whether or not this is partisan. The question was: was the decision to agree to back pay six months rent made unilaterally or did you consult with the Prime Minister and his office? That was the question. The PRESIDENT: Minister, you have six seconds in which to complete your answer. Senator CORMANN: I do not accept the premise of the question. To help Senator Wong, I conduct my responsibilities here as minister— (Time expired)