Senator WATT (Queensland) (14:59): I point out that the minister might also like to take on notice who is acting for the minister. The minister regularly lectures this chamber on the need to speak out against thuggery and intimidation. Last night an elderly woman and a middle-aged man were assaulted in a violent brawl at a Liberal Party meeting, with a witness reporting: They took him outside and started kicking him. To be honest I thought he was going to die. Has the minister called out this thuggery? The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Watt. I've got Senator Cormann on a point of order. Senator Cormann: On a point of order: even with the broadest interpretation of the standing orders, this cannot possibly come within the standing orders as a supplementary question. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on the point of order. Senator Wong: Let the record show that the Leader of the Government in the Senate does not think thuggery in the Liberal Party should be discussed. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, it's hard to take that as a response to Senator Cormann's point of order. Senator Watt, you've got seven seconds remaining to make the question relevant to the substantive question. Senator WATT: Given the minister's very strong interest in thuggery and intimidation in politics and union affairs, has she called out this thuggery in the Liberal Party? The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann. Senator Cormann: I maintain the point of order. This is not a supplementary question consistent with the standing orders. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on the point of order? Senator Wong: On the point of order: the minister's answers in relation to this issue have consistently been to criticise the actions of the trade unions. She has made many statements today, and yesterday, about thuggery and intimidation, which she asserts in relation to one part of politics. This is a question which goes to those statements. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I am struggling to see how this supplementary question is relevant to the substantive question. What I will do is review the Hansard and come back to the chamber but, as has been done previously, I will invite the minister to make a statement if she wishes.