Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:28): I know much is said about ISDS provisions. I think it is important for people to understand that they do provide protections to Australian investors operating overseas. They safeguard the operation for those Australian investors. ISDS provisions have long been a feature of investment agreements that Australia has negotiated with many other countries over a long period of time and, in fact, in 30 years of use, there has only ever been one claim made against Australia in relation to utilising ISDS— Senator Kim Carr: For tobacco! You want tobacco. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Senator Carr is right. It is in relation to tobacco and that claim was thrown out. That claim was rejected and found to not be within jurisdiction— Senator Patrick: Mr President, on a point of order. The question was: did you do a deal with the Labor Party on the TPP? Senator Wong: What about the deal you did with Mathias? You come in here and talk about deals! The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong! Senator Macdonald, on a point of order? Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, Senator Wong continually ignores your rulings. Are there special rules just for Senator Wong that only apply to her and not to the rest of us? She continually ignores your rulings and you should bring her to order. The PRESIDENT: I think you heard me do so at the time. Senator Kim Carr interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Carr, while I'm ruling! I was actually doing that at the time, prior to you raising the point of order. I remind all senators to at least remain silent while I am speaking. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong! Senator Williams interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Williams, I'm capable of— Senator Sterle interjecting— The PRESIDENT: You're not drafted here, Senator Sterle. You're free to leave. On the point of order, Senator Patrick, I cannot instruct the minister how to answer the question. He was being directly relevant to part of the question asked. Senator BIRMINGHAM: As I was saying, only one claim has ever been made and that was indeed thrown out and found to be without jurisdiction. More broadly I would note that such provisions do provide very clear safeguards so that Australian governments can continue to legislate in relation to our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, environmental standards and other public interest matters. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I'm not going to call Senator Gallacher until there is silence in the chamber.