Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS (New South Wales—Minister for International Development and the Pacific) (14:02): Thank you, Senator McAllister. This government—and can I just focus if I may on what is actually happening in my portfolio and what is happening in the portfolio of international development, because we don't seem to have much interest in this area from those opposite. Can I just say that in relation to the Pacific this government is very much— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong on a point of order? Senator Wong: A point of order on direct relevance. The minister has been asked to explain what the point of the Prime Minister is, and she's avoiding the question. I would have thought a loyal minister would want to explain why the Prime Minister should be backed. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann on the point of order. Senator Cormann: Labor, as they so often do, ask a highly political question, and, of course, the ministers on this side are providing, as they always do, a proper policy based answer. Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is doing an outstanding job in being directly relevant to a political question. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Everyone in the chamber: it will be a very long question time if it is this noisy. On the point of order, Senator Wong, if questions of such a broad nature relating to the government are asked, it is entirely within order for a minister to address— Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald! Can senators please not yell while I'm ruling on the point of order. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong! Senator Wong, I'm ruling on the point of order. Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, I was calling another senator to order. I would appreciate not being yelled at. If a minister is asked a question like that, it is entirely in order for them to address their portfolio, because it relates to the government and the portfolio that they are appointed to by the Prime Minister. Senator Fierravanti-Wells to continue the answer. Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: Can I say that for Australia the highest priority is security and prosperity in the Pacific. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: Australia, as part of our overseas development assistance, is primarily focusing its assistance of about $4 billion on overseas development assistance, and a third, approximately $1.3 billion, of that is actually spent in the Pacific. The PRESIDENT: I am going to ask senators to at least count to three between me calling order and the interjections recommencing.