Senator McKIM (Tasmania) (12:32): I seek leave to make a short statement. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator McKIM: The government should not pretend that it cares about the lives of these people. They have been imprisoned on Manus Island and Nauru for over four years now. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator McKIM: They are dying over there. Their blood is on your hands. It's on the hands of the Labor Party. Senator McGrath: What about those who died at sea? The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senators have the right to be heard in silence. I ask that you respectfully listen. Senator McKim. Senator McKIM: People are being beaten regularly on Manus Island and Nauru. They are having electricity cut off on Manus Island right now. They are having access to safe drinking water removed from them on Manus Island right now. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator McKIM: People are dying. People are being beaten, and their blood will be on the hands of the Labor Party, the Liberal Party and the National Party in this place unless we immediately close these prisons that Australia has established on Manus Island and Nauru. Evacuate the people there immediately. In the name of humanity and in the name of compassion, bring them here to safety in this country where we can look after them, as we have a moral and legal obligation. (Time expired) Senator Whish-Wilson: Madam Deputy President, I have a point of order. I would forgive you if you did not hear it. Five times Senator Macdonald called Senator McKim a liar. I ask him to withdraw that. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: There was much disruption in the chamber. I did not hear that, but I would ask if those comments were made, Senator Macdonald—you know the standing orders—that you withdraw them. Senator Ian Macdonald: Deputy President, yes, I did say that five times, but I will withdraw it because I know it is unfortunate and replace it with 'purveyor of mistruths'. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, I asked you to do a straight withdrawal. I would ask that you respect that. Senator Ian Macdonald: I do. I withdraw, but I'll replace it with 'purveyor of the mistruth'. Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McKim. Senator McKim: As someone who has been subject to a ruling from the President of the Senate in the very recent past that, when you are asked to withdraw— Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McKim, resume your seat, please. I'm not quite sure why you stood. Senator McKim: The point of order is this: the President himself has very recently, in this Senate, made a ruling that, when the chair asks for a withdrawal, it must be done unconditionally. I would ask you to enforce that ruling on Senator Macdonald. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, that's not a point of order. Senator Macdonald did withdraw. Senator Bernardi: I was just going to support you in your ruling before you made it. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: That's not necessary, thank you. Senator McKim: I'll just indicate, as a courtesy to you, that I'll be writing to the President of the Senate about this matter. Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! I'm going to put the motion— Honourable senators interjecting— Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, I have asked politely, without naming senators, for there to be order. I expect that to be respected. It is my intention to put the motion. The question is that general business notice of motion No. 411, in the name of Senator McKim, be agreed to.