Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:00): I dealt with some questions on this matter last night in the Senate committee stage— Senator WONG: It is question time now. Senator BIRMINGHAM: It is question time now, Senator Wong—you are absolutely correct. It is question time now, and if you did not interject we might actually have the chance to address the question. The government has put forward proposals that absolutely enhance support for the inclusivity of all children in education according to the national disability standards that have been developed under the Human Rights Act. The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: The point of order is on direct relevance. This is an important issue and there are many families around Australia who would like to see this minister do the right thing. There was one question and one question only: why is the minister refusing to repudiate Senator Hanson's offensive and discriminatory comments? That is the only question he was asked. The PRESIDENT: The minister did indicate, in response to the question, that he had answered questions about this last night in the chamber. Also, the minister was only a short way into his answer and I think we have to be fair to the minister. He was on topic. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Thanks, Mr President. I was making clear the government's commitment to inclusive education for all students with a disability and to ensuring that that inclusive education is supported, as it ought to be, according to the particular needs of those students. The point of the reforms the government has brought to this parliament, which those opposite are opposing, is to provide differentiated levels of support according to the different levels of adjustment assistance all students with disability may require in their education. The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Cameron, on a point of order? Senator Cameron: Yes, Mr President, on relevance. We are now halfway through the time to respond. There was one question: why is the minister refusing to repudiate Senator Hanson's offensive and discriminatory comments? He should be drawn back to the question. The PRESIDENT: I will remind the minister of the question. Senator BIRMINGHAM: My job, as the minister for education, is to make sure we uphold the disability standards that are in place. My job as minister for education is to make sure that in upholding those disability standards we put in place support for students with disability. We are doing the right thing by putting in place support for students with disability, which those opposite are of course voting against. The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. On a point of order, Senator Gallagher? Senator Gallagher: Thank you, on direct relevance. The minister is ignoring your direction and is for some unexplained reason avoiding answering the question, which was about Senator Hanson's offensive and discriminatory comments, not the reform package that the Senate is currently debating. He should be drawn back to the question at hand. The PRESIDENT: The minister in response after the last point of order indicated what his responsibilities as a minister are in relation to this topic. If you look at the question asking why the minister is refusing to repudiate, that could be regarded as an answer directly relevant to the question that was asked. Senator BIRMINGHAM: It is our job to do the right thing by students with disability around Australia and support their families. Putting in place differentiated loadings ensures that the greatest degree of support goes to the students who need it. It ensures that they get the greatest assistance around the country. That indeed is exactly what we are doing. Those opposite have the gall to come into this chamber and criticise the government and vote against legislation that will put in place more support for students with disability— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, on a point of order? Senator Cameron: Again, it is on relevance. There was one question, and that was about the minister refusing to repudiate. He has ignored it again. He should just repudiate this outrageous slur by Senator Hanson. Just repudiate it! The PRESIDENT: You have made your point of order, Senator Cameron. On my right! In relation to the point of order, I reiterate that the question was, 'Why is the minister refusing to repudiate Senator Hanson's remarks?' The minister has gone to answering that question by indicating what his role as a minister is. We can take that as an answer. The minister is in order. Minister, have you concluded your remarks? Senator BIRMINGHAM: Yes. The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, a supplementary question.