Senator COLBECK (Tasmania—Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians and Minister for Youth and Sport) (14:49): At no point in any of those statements that Senator Walsh has just read—and I thank her for the question—particularly in the press release, did I say that the bonus would be tax free. I never said that it would be tax free. That's exactly what I said yesterday. We never, at any point in time, indicated that this bonus would be tax free. We said, at all times, that these bonuses would be up to $800 and up to $600, but we never said— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, a point of order? Senator Wong: Direct relevance: it was a very specific question. Does the minister concede that his media release described the payments as 'after tax'? I ask you to remind the minister of this question. The PRESIDENT: At the point that you interrupted the minister, Senator Wong, I believe that he was actually directly addressing, albeit challenging, the assertion contained in the question. That is a matter for debate after question time. It's not a matter for me to direct the minister how to answer the question. I believe he was being directly relevant, and opposition senators can say something after question time in the appropriate slot. Senator COLBECK: At no point in time did the government say that these bonuses would be tax free—at no point did we say they were tax free— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, a point of order? Senator Wong: I seek leave to table the minister's statement, which shows clearly the words 'after tax per quarter', on two occasions. This is becoming a farce. Question time should have some accountability associated with it— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, order! Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Wong: He is simply lying. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I am going to ask you to withdraw that particular accusation directed at an individual senator. Senator Wong: He is simply not telling the truth, Mr President. The PRESIDENT: I need to ask— Senator Wong: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Wong. Senator Cormann, a point of order? Senator Cormann: There are basic courtesies when it comes to tabling of documents. Senator Wong has been here long enough to know. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! On the point of order, opposition senators who wish to challenge the minister's answer have an opportunity to do so after question time. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: The point— Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, he is directly addressing the terms of the question and you have an opportunity to debate it. I cannot direct the minister how to answer a question. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I have allowed you to do so, Senator Wong, on two occasions. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, the answer can be debated after question time. As long as the minister is addressing the terms of the question—and he is directly addressing the terms of the question—I do not have the authority to direct him how to answer a question. Senator COLBECK: The statement in my press release does not mean tax free— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator COLBECK: which is the implication that the Labor Party is trying to make. So the two statements are completely and utterly compatible. The government at no point indicated that these bonuses would be tax free, because that is not the way income bonuses work. They are clearly subject to tax, because at no point in time did we say they would be tax free. The PRESIDENT: Senator Walsh, a supplementary question?