Senator RYAN (Victoria—Special Minister of State and Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary) (14:20): I thank Senator Siewert for her question. I am familiar with the article. I am advised that the government never said that parents would be better off on welfare compared to getting a job, and that particular characterisation that you referred to was one of the media and not of government. The Minister for Social Services gave a very comprehensive speech about— Senator Kim Carr interjecting— Senator RYAN: Senator Carr, the Minister for Social Services gave a very comprehensive speech outlining a number of the challenges in the welfare space, and a number of the facts are worthy of repeating here. One of the cameos I can go through: the parenting payment single recipient for a person— The PRESIDENT: A point of order, Senator Siewert. Senator Siewert: I suspect I have heard those cameos before. I asked very specifically: did any member of the government, their staff or anyone from the Department of Social Services provide the so-called new government data and, if so, what is the nature of the data? I did not ask for a cameo; I did not ask for anything else; I asked that specific question. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left. I believe the minister answered that portion of your question up front about the fact that the government did not brief. That is what I heard him say. Senator RYAN: In that, I was referring to the article mentioned in the substantial preamble to the question from Senator Siewert. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. In that case, Minister, you are aware of the question. I remind you of the question. Senator RYAN: Senator Siewert, I was going to provide the Senate with that data and some other data; but, given that you have restated what you wish me to address, I think you will accept that I am in no position to provide that answer, with the briefings I am provided representing the other minister. If I have any further information, I will bring it back to the Senate. The PRESIDENT: Senator Siewert, a supplementary question.