Senator BERNARDI (South Australia) (14:36): Wait until you hear the question! My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Minister, socialism is a political and economic ideology that rejects the free market and supports bigger taxes, bigger government, central planning, government price fixing and the nationalisation of industry. Can the minister— Honourable senators interjecting— Senator Cormann: I can't hear the question. Senator BERNARDI: I'm happy to do it again. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cormann on a point of order. Senator Cormann: Mr President, I feel like it's an important question for me to be able to hear and I couldn't actually hear the question. The PRESIDENT: I will ask for a courtesy to be extended to Senator Bernardi on the day of his valedictory speech and for the question to be heard in silence. Senator BERNARDI: I should start again; will you reset the clock? The PRESIDENT: I think you can keep going, Senator Bernardi. I think we have the gist. Senator Cormann interjecting— The PRESIDENT: The minister says he genuinely couldn't hear it, so you'll have to start again. Senator BERNARDI: Minister, socialism is a political and economic ideology that rejects the free market and supports bigger taxes, bigger government, central planning, government price fixing and the nationalisation of industry. Can the minister please explain why the government hasn't implemented such policies and can he share with the Senate any examples of the consequences of the socialist policy agenda and where they have been implemented? The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong on a point of order. Senator Wong: Mr President, much as I have affection for Senator Bernardi, I do wonder whether that is actually something this minister can respond to. Is it really a matter of government policy under the standing orders? We'll all have a drink about it if you want, but really! Senator Cormann: On the point of order, I believe that, under the standing orders, senators are able to ask questions of ministers in relation to past public statements. I advise the Senate that I have made past public statements about how bad socialism is and the impact of socialism on people and the economy. The PRESIDENT: Questions are also allowed to be addressed as to the intent of the government. The last part of the question, particularly, was definitely in order. As I've done before, when—sorry, Senator Whish-Wilson? Senator Whish-Wilson: Point of order: I was wondering if that question should be directed to Senator Canavan, the minister for nationalising coal-fired power stations? The PRESIDENT: On the point of order: Senator Wong is correct. A statement wasn't referenced; however, the concluding part of the question did talk about the government's intent, which is within the remit of question time. In the past, when some parts of questions have not technically been in order, I've invited ministers to respond to the extent that they are.