Senator CASH (Western Australia—Minister for Jobs and Innovation) (14:24): Thank you, Mr President. I've stated before that it is common practice for legal assistance to be provided to ministers when it relates to proceedings involving their ministerial duties. Senator Wong received legal assistance via the Australian government—this is not an unusual procedure—as did Wayne Swan and Kevin Rudd. So the answer is: yes, I'm following the normal government procedure. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, on a point of order? Senator Cameron: On direct relevance. What we're asking is: what has been the total cost to date? The minister has provided information on cost to estimates. She should provide the same to the Senate. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, I provide people with liberal opportunity to restate the question when they're raising a point of order on direct relevance. You know as well as I do that I cannot instruct a minister how to answer a question. The minister was actually answering, in one word, part of your question when you rose. Senator Cormann: On the point of order, that precise part of the question that Senator Cameron just quoted relates to a portfolio that is not Minister Cash's portfolio. It's not in her area of responsibility at all, and she's not in a position— Senator Wong: On the point of order, Mr President, you correctly identified that ministers can be questioned about issues and public statements that they've previously made. I don't think it is in dispute that the minister has provided evidence before about her legal costs. We accept that she may need to refer this question to the Attorney-General for a precise amount if she doesn't know, but I don't think it's in dispute that she's previously made statements about this. The PRESIDENT: My point on this is that, as I interrupted the senator there, I heard Senator Cash directly addressing part of the question. That was directly relevant. Senator Cash, have you concluded your answer or do you wish to continue? Senator CASH: Mr President, these questions have been answered in detail at estimates. I'm going through the normal process. I'll take on notice and refer to the Attorney-General's Department any further questions.