Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women) (14:13): As Senator Wong, one assumes, with the benefit of media monitoring, would be well aware, the member for Chisholm has issued a statement on this matter today. She has been clear in relation to the issues that were raised. She began her statement by saying: Last night, in a TV interview, I was not clear and I should have chosen my words better. As a new member of Parliament, I will be learning from this experience. Australia's long-standing position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear. We do not take sides on competing territorial claims but we call on all claimants to resolve … The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Wong on a point of order? Senator Wong: A point of order on direct relevance. Senator PAYNE: You can't be serious. Senator Wong: I'm very serious. Senator Abetz: That was exactly what Sam Dastyari said. The PRESIDENT: Order, please! I would like to hear the point of order. Senator Wong: I'm glad you brought up that precedent, Senator Abetz. An opposition senator: Exactly. Senator Wong: Exactly. Precisely. An opposition senator: And you know what happened to him. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Can I hear the point of order, and then others will have the opportunity to contribute if they wish. Senator Wong: The question is: why? It's not a question of: what statement did she subsequently issue? My question is: why did she fail on three occasions to restate the government's position? The PRESIDENT: On the point of order, Senator Payne? Senator PAYNE: Mr President, on the point of order, the member for Chisholm's statement is perfectly clear. She indicates that in the interview she was not clear and that she should have chosen her words better. The PRESIDENT: On the point of order, Senator Wong, you have reminded the minister of the question. I believe in this instance, with the statement the minister is making, that the minister is being directly relevant. There's an opportunity to debate questions and answers after question time, and I think that's the appropriate place if people are not satisfied with answers. Senator Payne, continue. Senator PAYNE: I think I was at the point of the member for Chisholm's statement that says: We do not take sides on competing territorial claims but we call on all claimants to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, a final supplementary question?