Senator RUSTON (South Australia—Minister for Families and Social Services, Minister for Women's Safety and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:25): I thank Senator Whish-Wilson for his question. If you are asking me whether I'm a climate denier, Senator Whish-Wilson, no, I'm not. One thing that this government has always been absolutely clear about and remains absolutely committed to is making sure that we support Australians with reliable, affordable, dispatchable power. But, at the same time— The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson on a point order? Senator Whish-Wilson: I just want to stress how hard I worked to make this a very, very simple question. The point of order is on direct relevance. Saying you are not a climate denier is not answering the question. It was really a yes or no question. Mr President, I ask the minister to be relevant. The PRESIDENT: Just as you were trying to write a tight question, Senator Whish-Wilson, I was trying to hear the minister, but I couldn't, despite my numerous calls to order across the chamber. However, while I couldn't hear part of the minister's answer while I was calling the chamber to order, I can't accept your submission that I can direct the minister how to answer the question. I will listen carefully. You've reminded the minister of the question and I do so again. Senator RUSTON: Senator Whish-Wilson, I am more than happy to give you the government's policy as it relates to supporting Australians and supporting Australian industry and making sure we also are in a position where we can protect Australia's environment and take up our responsibility for the protection of the world environment as well. If you wish to ask things in relation to oceans, maybe you should consider asking your question of the Minister for the Environment. What I will say about Australia's energy policy is that we are absolutely committed to meeting every single obligation we have—an obligation to the Australian public for reliable, affordable and dispatchable power, an obligation internationally to the targets that we— The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson on a point of order? Senator Whish-Wilson: With only 49 seconds to go, could I just ask the minister to answer my question. The PRESIDENT: I do think that was a fair point of order on direct relevance, Senator Whish-Wilson. Senator Ruston, the question related to various concepts rather than government policies. So I take the opportunity to remind you that you can answer in a personal capacity or in a government capacity because the question did ask 'do you accept'. So, to that extent, it wasn't a broad question on government policy. Senator RUSTON: Well, I think I did answer Senator Whish-Wilson's question in my first response immediately after him asking the question, and I will stand by that. I am not a climate denier. However, I also am a very strong believer in all of the policies that have put in place by the government of which I am a member to make sure that we meet our obligations and we support a future in this country and this world that makes sure that our environment is protected for our children and for their children. But we as a government are not going to undertake those policies to the detriment of Australia, Australians or the Australian economy. We will make sure, in the process of going forward into a future that I think every Australian wants, that we will do— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, a supplementary question?