Senator CASH (Western Australia—Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Employment and Minister for Women) (14:59): I thank Senator Cameron for the question. Again, I would have to say, though, Senator Cameron, that to say this was canvassed extensively at estimates, as you would recall, is an absolute understatement. As you were also advised at estimates, it is longstanding practice, regardless of who is in office, for Commonwealth statutory office holders and employees to be indemnified for the costs of defending legal proceedings brought against them. Under appendix E to the Legal— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Cash. Senator Cameron, are you raising a point of order? Senator Cameron: Yes—a point of order on relevance. I asked the specific question: how did the minister form the judgement that Mr Hadgkiss had acted reasonably and responsibly? How did the minister form that judgement? The PRESIDENT: The minister has been speaking for 29 seconds. I consider her as being within the scope of the question you asked and directly relevant to it, Senator Cameron. Senator CASH: As I was saying, on 14 November 2016 it was again explained to you at estimates, Senator Cameron, that Mr Hadgkiss filed his defence in the litigation. He denied, as you know, any contravention of the Fair Work Act. I subsequently approved financial assistance for his legal costs. Again, as you were made aware extensively at Senate estimates, this was consistent with appendix E to the CommonwealthLegal Services Directions and did not cover the penalty ordered against him. Under appendix E to the Legal Services Directions, assistance is not precluded to an official who acted negligently. The assistance I approved was consistent with the Federal Court's findings that he was careless but he did not intend to contravene 503(1) of the Fair Work Act. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, a supplementary question?