Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory) (14:00): In her statement to the House of Representatives yesterday, the now Independent member for Chisholm, Ms Banks, called for the ability to report 'misconduct of those in power without fear of reprisal or retribution'. Are the threats made by Minister Pyne the kind of reprisal and retribution that Ms Banks was referring to? The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald on a point of order? Senator Ian Macdonald: How can that possibly be a question relating to the Defence portfolio, and how can it possibly be a question that anyone could answer except the person who allegedly made those comments? The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong on the point of order? Senator Wong: I think it's well established that statements by ministers are relevantly the subject of questions at question time. This minister is representing the Minister for Defence. These are questions relating to public statements made by the Minister for Defence, and this is a question about what they meant. The PRESIDENT: On the point of order, it's longstanding practice that ministers can be asked about public statements made. In this case, it is a public statement of a minister who is represented in this chamber. That is also in order. With respect to your comment about the ability of a minister to answer a question, questioners are to take that into account when writing their questions. Obviously there are limitations on the ability of people to answer on behalf of others. I call Senator Payne.