Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Finance, Special Minister of State and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (15:00): I'm not aware of what Senator Keneally alleges. I am aware that there are criminal cartel charges laid against the CFMEU and its ACT branch secretary. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: Do I need to make a submission on direct relevance? The PRESIDENT: That's all you need to say, Senator Wong. Senator Cormann, I would ask you to be directly relevant to the question. Senator CORMANN: I was very happy to receive a question about criminal charges, and I'm also happy to confirm that if there were criminal charges laid against the CFMEU and its ACT branch secretary— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cormann, one needs to be directly relevant to the question. I remind you of the terms of the question asked. Senator CORMANN: On the point of order, I actually answered the question right up front by saying that I'm not aware of the allegations that Senator Keneally raises but that I am aware of some other matters that directly relate to an aspect of the question she asks. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on the point of order? Senator Wong: The fact that a minister is not aware of the question that he or she is asked does not give licence to say something that is demonstrably— An honourable senator interjecting— Senator Wong: Mr President, if I may. The PRESIDENT: I was listening carefully, and I didn't hear any background noise, Senator Wong. Senator Wong: It's not that. It's just so boring. Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting— The PRESIDENT: It's Thursday afternoon, senators. Senator Wong: It's Thursday afternoon. Can't you just stop talking for one minute? The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald and Senator Wong, both of you. Senator Wong, would you like to continue your point of order? Senator Wong: When he stops. He's stopped. Thank you. I'll start again. Just because a minister doesn't know something about criminal cartel behaviour of a— An honourable senator interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I was listening carefully. If all senators would like me to insist on absolute and utter silence in the chamber at all times, I'm sure that would make it somewhat different to what it is now. I will ask senators to be silent while I hear the point of order. Senator Wong: Just because a minister doesn't know anything about, or says he doesn't know anything about, criminal charges for cartel conduct relating to a friend of the Prime Minister's does not give this minister the licence to talk about criminal action which is entirely unrelated to the grant or to any other activities. It would be a travesty if the ruling is that direct relevance means you can talk about anything if you don't know the answer to the question. The PRESIDENT: I am prepared to rule on the point of order, if I could. The Senate several years ago required question time answers to be directly relevant. A minister can add material that is directly relevant to part of the question, but it should not be interpreted as liberally as has been put to me in this case. Minister Cormann, I would ask that you be directly relevant to the question. Senator CORMANN: Thank you very much, Mr President. As I said right up front, I am not aware of the allegations that Senator Keneally has raised. I am happy to take that part of the question on notice. I would say again, though, that the Great Barrier Reef Foundation of course is the lead charity for the Great Barrier Reef, having raised over $90 million since it was established. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator CORMANN: I am happy to take you through it. You are obviously not interested in investment in the health of the Great Barrier Reef. The foundation has raised $58.97 million from corporate and philanthropic contributions, of which $52.87 million is from the corporate sector and $6 million is from private philanthropy. The foundation has received $3.28 million from other sources, such as interest and research partners, including James Cook University and the University of Queensland. In addition, the GBRF has received pro bono and in-kind services to the value of $4.74 million from the corporate sector. In total, support from non-government sources equates to $66.689 million. The GBRF has been granted $29.71 million from government sources. This includes $22.35 million previously from the Australian government and $7.36 million from the Queensland government. The Great Barrier Reef is a global icon and, as part of the Reef Trust partnership, their fundraising plan, of course, is designed to identify opportunities within Australia and overseas to raise additional funds for the protection of the reef. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Keneally, a supplementary question.