Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) (19:23): Mr President, can I seek leave to make a short statement? The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator GALLAGHER: I put on the record that Labor won't be supporting Senator Waters's amendment, but we do have sympathy for it. But Labor has taken the position, as a convention of this place—just referring to the previous matter— The PRESIDENT: Order! There is someone on their feet, I assume on a point of order? Senator Small: On a point of order, Mr President. I do apologise to Senator Gallagher for interrupting, but Senator Thorpe just made the most outrageous statement directed at Senator Hughes, which you probably didn't hear. But in the scheme of disgusting statements made in this chamber, that surely ranks at the top of them. The PRESIDENT: Senator Small, I obviously did not hear the statement. Senator Thorpe— Senator Thorpe: I'm happy to retract, Mr President. I just got a view of something over there that disturbed me. But I'm happy to retract. Senator Hughes interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, Senator Thorpe has retracted whatever statement she made. I think we should move on. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! It's the end of a long week; I understand that. Let's try to keep the chamber moving. Senator GALLAGHER: I was just making the point that Labor has always taken the view that the sitting program is the government's to determine, which is why we won't be supporting your amendment, even though we have sympathy, and we acknowledge that the government have a very low number of sitting days for this chamber because they have lost control of it. But I would point out the purpose of convention in this place to allow the smooth operating of this chamber, and I urge the government to consider that in light of the request that Senator O'Neill made about the previous matter before you, Mr President.