Senator BRANDIS (Queensland—Attorney-General, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:15): Senator McKim, a little history is relevant here. Let us never forget who started the Manus Island detention centre: it was the Labor government of Kevin Rudd. The PRESIDENT: A point of order, Senator McKim? Senator McKim: The Attorney is entirely irrelevant to the question. The question was very specific. It related only to events in the last two weeks. Will he act to restore the essentials of life and evacuate the camp immediately? The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, it is my first day on the job, but I have been around long enough to know that the preamble of a question is relevant when a minister wants to address a question. I might also say that he was 12 seconds in. I think we do give ministers some flexibility, and I would probably grant more than 12 seconds. Senator BRANDIS: Thank you very much indeed, Mr President. If there is a problem with Manus Island, don't look to my side of politics, Senator McKim. Look to the Australian Labor Party, which began the Manus Island detention centre. For all the years since we have been in office we have been working to secure agreements with third-party nations, most notably the United States of America, to resettle the people from Manus Island, and it is proceeding very well. Senator McKim, I cannot understand your position. One moment you're saying that Manus Island should be closed down. The next moment you're saying it is an outrage that Manus Island is being closed down. Now you come into the chamber this afternoon and say, 'Will the government evacuate Manus Island?' You are all over the place on this issue, Senator McKim. The reason you are all over the place is— The PRESIDENT: A point of order, Senator McKim? Senator McKim: He's now had one minute and 12 seconds and has not remotely approached the question he was asked. I urge you to remind the Attorney of the question and ask him to answer it. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, your question had an extensive preamble. In the conclusion of your question you asked, 'Will you?' of the Attorney. He is addressing the question as you asked it. Senator BRANDIS: Thank you. Might I also remind you, by the way, that the sovereign government— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hinch on a point of order? Senator Hinch: I have a point of order, Mr President. It is your first day here. The point of order is that Senator McKim's interjections have been longer than the Attorney-General's answers and it makes it very hard to hear in this part of the chamber. The PRESIDENT: Having sat down at that end of the chamber, can I remind senators making interjections that not everyone is close to the minister and can hear the answer. Please have some courtesy for colleagues so senators at more distant parts of the chamber may hear the answer after the question is asked. Senator BRANDIS: Thank you, Mr President. Might I remind you, Senator McKim, that the sovereign government of Manus Island is the government of New Guinea. The steps that are being taken in relation to Manus Island and the detention centre there are steps being taken in compliance with orders of the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea. Now, Senator McKim, you may be of the view that Australia should disrespect the sovereignty of a friendly neighbour. You may be of the view that we should treat with contempt the orders of the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea, but I am not. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, a supplementary question?