Senator PRATT (Western Australia) (14:56): Mr President, my question this afternoon is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. In evidence to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, the Attorney-General has refused to say whether or not his office asked that a direction be drafted to prevent the Australian Taxation Office from intervening in the Bell Group litigation, at a potential cost to the taxpayers of $300 million. Senator Back: We did this last night, Louise. It's all over. Senator PRATT: Last night the ATO advised the committee that around 4 March last year they were told by officers— Senator Back: You keep flogging a dead horse and it's still dead. An opposition senator: You wish it was dead! Senator PRATT: Mr President, I think Senator Brandis deserves to be able to hear the question. The PRESIDENT: Yes, and there needs to be quiet on both your side and the side of the government. Order! Senator PRATT: Last night the ATO advised the committee that around 4 March last year they were told by officers from Treasury and the Australian Government Solicitor that such a direction was being considered. Did your office ask that a direction to the Australian tax office be drafted? Yes or no. The PRESIDENT: Point of order, Senator Back? Senator Back: Yes, point of order: the Hansard from last night's proceedings will confirm that what the senator just said is incorrect. The PRESIDENT: This is not a point of order; this is a debating point.