Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia—Minister for Defence) (15:20): Senator Watt, that question is beneath you. It is utterly disgraceful that you are linking the lives of people to the support that this federal government, Defence and EMA have provided. The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Reynolds! Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: Point of order on direct relevance: what this minister should be ashamed of is telling the Senate one thing which is clearly not true. NAFC's advice was not received. Why don't you answer the question, instead of this feigned outrage? The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, that's not a point of order. Senator Cormann, on the point of order? Senator Cormann: Senator Wong should withdraw that imputation on the senator. The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear one. There were interjections going on. I will check the Hansard. I did not hear any comment. I will take Senator Wong. Senator Wong: No, if you're not asking for— The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear what could be withdrawn. I will check the Hansard. On the issue of the point of order— Senator Wong: You didn't take the advice and now you're embarrassed! The PRESIDENT: On the issue of the point of order—Senator Cormann? Senator Cormann: Interjections are disorderly, and Senator Wong is interjecting while you are addressing the chamber. That is highly disorderly. The PRESIDENT: I have made the observation before that it is regularly put to me that question time is primarily a forum for the opposition. We are wasting that time, if there continue to be interjections. There is time for debating answers, and the content and the merits of them, after question time. It is not by interjection during question time. Senator Reynolds, in my view, is being directly relevant to the question. Senator Reynolds, to continue. Senator REYNOLDS: I will reiterate my complete rejection of every single word Senator Watt said then. It is a complete and utter disgrace that he is linking the work that Australian officials, EMA and this government have done, working very closely— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my left! Senator REYNOLDS: and providing the support that the experts have recommended— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Reynolds, please resume your seat. Can people at least count to 10 after I call for silence, so we get a little bit of it. The minister had barely commenced speaking before the interjections started again. It's a poor reflection on the Senate. Senator Reynolds, to continue. Senator REYNOLDS: Senator Watt, these are the facts you so conveniently ignore. In 2019-20 the government funded NAFC to the tune of $45 million. We provided nearly $15 million under a longstanding funding agreement— Senator Watt: You got a business case in 2017 and you did nothing! The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Watt, count to 10. Senator REYNOLDS: and $20 million, again, for additional firefighting aircraft. Again, I say to you, Senator Watt: shame on you. Shame on you all for politicising it. It is a disgrace. Senator Wong: Shame on you for not doing your job! The PRESIDENT: Order! I don't think it is— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! The clock will run down until I call the next senator for a question. Senator Bragg.