Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Finance, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:59): Could you imagine what those opposite would have said if the Prime Minister, whilst isolating at the Lodge on return from international business, had been advised by ACT health authorities or the Chief Medical Officer that anyone attending a press conference needed to be vaccinated and if the Prime Minister had said: 'No, they're not going to be,' and had denied that health advice? The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: The point of order is direct relevance. The question doesn't go to a hypothetical about the opposition; it goes to the Prime Minister's hypocrisy and consistent falsehoods. The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I am listening closely to the minister's answer. Minister, you have the call. Senator BIRMINGHAM: Mr President, I paint that scenario because those opposite would be the first to condemn if the Prime Minister was not following health advice and health recommendations at the time. What he has done, what our government has done, is listen to and act on the health advice of our Commonwealth health officials at every step of the way, and that has included questions around mandates and vaccinations as they apply. We have been very clear in the sense that we've acted where the health officials have recommended to apply those mandates to those most vulnerable, but the national plan also makes clear that we should go through the stages with these high levels of vaccination to reopen and to reopen thoroughly. The PRESIDENT: Minister, your time has expired. Senator Birmingham: I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.