Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS (New South Wales—Minister for International Development and the Pacific) (14:56): I was about to make a comment in relation to the premise of that question not being absolutely accurate about the reputation. But I won't go there. As I was saying, the changes once again show that the Leader of the Opposition wants to penalise Australians for working hard. The PRESIDENT: Senator Fierravanti-Wells, please resume your seat. Senator Wong, a point of order? Senator Wong: On direct relevance, Mr President. This is embarrassing. The minister cannot even answer a question about taxable income. She can't even make a pretence of it. She has to go straight to the Leader of the Opposition. The question is— Senator Ian Macdonald: That's not a point of order. Senator Wong: The point of order is direct relevance! May I be heard, Mr President! I hadn't finished. The PRESIDENT: Order! Everyone please resume their seats. There was baiting and response around the chamber. I will hear Senator Wong conclude her point of order in silence, then I will hear from Senator Cormann. Senator Wong: Mr President, I did not raise a point of order on the first question given that— A government senator: You raised your voice. The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear where that was from, but can I please hear Senator Wong in silence. Senator Wong: Thank you. I did not raise a point— Senator Seselja: So sensitive! The PRESIDENT: Order! Seriously! we've had a number of senators say they can't hear question time. Can I please hear the point of order in silence. I will then make a ruling. Senator Wong. Senator Wong: Thank you, Mr President. We did not raise a point of order in relation to the first question, given that you had indicated that there were a number of aspects to that question. This question is only in relation to taxable income. It cannot possibly be directly relevant for the minister to stand up and immediately say 'the Leader of the Opposition'. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, on the point of order. Senator Cormann: Thank you very much, Mr President. I recognise your earlier ruling. Nevertheless, any question on taxable income should by necessity be directed to the Minister representing the Treasurer. If the Labor Party tactics committee decides to address questions about taxable income to the minister representing the social services minister then they should not be surprised about the answer they get. As you indicated, Mr President, you can't direct the minister to answer the question, and she will answer it consistent with her area of responsibility. Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, I am prepared to rule. We have had quite a lot of debate on this point of order. Senator Wong, I heard only half of a sentence from Senator Fierravanti-Wells. You have taken the opportunity to remind the minister of the question, and I have the question in mind. But I am not going to rule on a minister not being relevant when they haven't completed a single sentence, because I can't tell where they are going to take it. Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, a point of order. The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins was on her feet first. I'll take her point of order, if she wishes. And then I'll come to you, Senator Macdonald. Senator Jacinta Collins: He's moved onto another matter, by the sound of it. The PRESIDENT: Your point of order was on that matter, Senator Collins? Senator Jacinta Collins: It was on the one you've already ruled on. The PRESIDENT: I just thought I'd check, as a courtesy. Senator Macdonald. Senator Ian Macdonald: A point of order, Mr President: you made a very clear ruling that you would not accept interjections. While you were talking, Senator Wong continually interjected. She is a member of the CFMEU and doesn't think that the— The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, please resume your seat. I doubt any of us have a halo in this chamber when it comes to interjections, so I'm not going to judge people by a standard of perfection. I call Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: I am advised, in my capacity representing the Minister for Social Services, that figures that were released this week show thousands earn less and will be hit by Mr Shorten's tax grab. Can I just provide some figures? The PRESIDENT: Senator Fierravanti-Wells, please resume your seat. Senator Collins? Senator Jacinta Collins: Thank you, Mr President. Perhaps I can remind the minister, with respect to this point of order of relevance, the question is: is the Grattan Institute correct in saying that the government's argument is misleading? If not, why not? That is the question. The PRESIDENT: Due to the noise in the chamber, I didn't have the opportunity to take detailed notes of that question. The minister is allowed to challenge or otherwise address elements of the question. I remind the minister of the question. There are 19 seconds until the answer concludes. Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: I haven't seen what the Grattan Institute has said, but I will refer the matter to the Minister for Social Services and, if he has any comments that he wishes to make in relation to it, I'm happy to provide the Senate with that response. The PRESIDENT: A final supplementary question, Senator Watt.