Senator ABETZ (Tasmania) (14:38): I ask the Leader of the Government in the Senate: is there anything that stands in the way of Tasmania being able to raise itself to the next level? Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left! Senator Polley! Senator Kim Carr interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Carr, Senator Wong is on her feet on a point of order. Senator Wong: Whilst I'm enjoying Senator Cormann channelling Tasmania, I question the extent to which that final supplementary is in order. The PRESIDENT: It would be easier for me to ascertain that if I could have heard the question, Senator Wong. I couldn't hear the question. Senator Wong: Fair enough. The PRESIDENT: I was constantly calling the chamber to order. Senator Abetz, ask it again so I may rule on the point of order. Senator ABETZ: Thank you, Mr President. I'm delighted to ask the question again. It is as follows: is there anything that stands in the way of Tasmania being able to raise itself to the next level, given the excellent policies that have already been implemented? Senator Wong: That's not what you asked, Eric! The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I could not hear the first question. Senator Wong: You can check the Hansard. Senator Cormann: On a point of order, these are matters that I've spoken about extensively in my ministerial capacity and, as such, Senator Abetz is quite entitled to ask me about my assessment of the risks to the great state of Tasmania. The PRESIDENT: Senator of Wong, on the point of order raised by Senator Cormann. Senator Wong: Mr President, I'm happy for you to look at the Hansard. With respect to my friend Senator Abetz, I think he might have added somewhat to the question the second time around— Senator Abetz: I did! Senator Wong: which he concedes. I'm happy for you to do that, Mr President. I would say that if the Leader of the Government in the Senate is asserting that because a minister spoke about anything ever we can ask a question without reference to that statement as to public affairs, I would have thought that's a new proposition. I ask you to consider that. It is the case that if ministers make public statements we can ask them about it, but generally the practice in the chamber has been some reference to that statement. The PRESIDENT: As I found out last week, Hansard can sometimes hear better than I can. I will review it when it comes through. Senator Cormann, addressing the question asked by Senator Abetz.