Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government and Territories and Minister for Regional Communications) (14:44): I can indicate to the chamber that the Prime Minister and the government have received very strong legal advice on these matters. The PRESIDENT: A point of order, Senator Wong? Senator Wong: It is on direct relevance. The minister hasn't been asked about the legal advice. She hasn't been asked about the referral. She's been asked about whether or not— Senator Ian Macdonald: This is not a debate! The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Senator Wong: I beg your pardon! Senator Ian Macdonald: This is not a debate! The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Senator Macdonald! Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left, as well! Point of order, Senator Macdonald? Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, you continue to allow senators to make statements and arguments in supposedly raising a point of order. Now, this senator is clearly out of order in raising an argument when she should be raising a point of order, and I ask you to bring her to account. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. I call Senator Wong. Senator Wong: The question relates only to a single issue, and that is whether or not the minister discussed her position with the Deputy Prime Minister before making a decision as to whether she would step aside. I ask her to be directly relevant. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I will ask the minister, and remind her of the question. But I just would make the observation that this is, I think, the third or fourth occasion now that the minister has been interrupted only a matter of seconds into her answer, and I think that has been a little bit unfair to the minister. But I will remind the minister of the question. Senator NASH: I have a range of discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister on a number of matters. In relation, directly, to the question, the government has very strong legal advice on this matter. The Prime Minister has asked both the Deputy Prime Minister and me to remain in our ministerial roles, and we will continue to do that.