Senator McKENZIE (Victoria—Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education and Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) (14:26): We are very lucky in this country that both state and federal governments, over a long period of time, have taken very seriously the need to have the right regulatory framework around the development of, in particular, gas-fired projects. The PRESIDENT: A point of order, Senator Thorpe? Senator Thorpe: It's a simple question, Mr President. Minister, who gave you consent to frack Gunai country? As a Gunai woman, I'm asking: who gave you consent? The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, the minister was being directly relevant to the question. Minister, you have 45 seconds. Senator McKENZIE: At both state and federal levels there are quite strict regulatory controls on a whole range of approvals that must be sought in terms of building these types of projects, but I absolutely— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, on a point of order? Senator Thorpe: I'm a traditional owner of Gunai country. My mother is on the Gunaikurnai Elders' Council. Where did you get consent? The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, that is not a point of order. Minister, you have 33 seconds. Senator Thorpe: Answer the question! Where did you get consent? Senator McMahon interjecting— Senator Scarr interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Thorpe! Senator McMahon and Senator Scarr, you're not assisting. Minister, if you wish to make a further contribution, you have 27 seconds remaining. Senator McKENZIE: Yes, I would because I proudly back the resources industry in Australia, including the gas industry, and the tens of thousands of Australians that they employ: hardworking men and women across the length and breadth of this country. We do not take a backward step— Senator Thorpe: Point of order! Senator McKENZIE: Mr President, I don't appreciate being yelled at. The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, is this a point of order? Senator Thorpe: Absolutely! The PRESIDENT: What is the point of order? Senator Thorpe: The point of order is relevance to my question. My question was: where did this minister get consent from to drill my country? The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, you've had a chance to restate the question on two occasions. Senator Thorpe: Answer the question! The PRESIDENT: I cannot direct the minister how to answer a question. The minister was being directly relevant to the question. Minister, you have 14 seconds, if you wish. Senator McKENZIE: Yes, I wish to continue. Without the action that our government is taking to address supply, industry and households would be faced with higher prices, disruptions in supply and planned outages. And it is low-income Australians that are going to be most affected. (Time expired) Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, resume your seat. Senator Henderson? Senator Thorpe interjecting— Senator Paterson interjecting— Senator Henderson: Thank you, Mr President— Senator Thorpe: And we will fight you all the way! Senator Henderson: Senator Thorpe, could I ask my question now, please? Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Thorpe! Senator Davey on a point of order? Senator Davey: My point of order is that I would like to carry on with question time. There are other people who have questions, and these continual interruptions are not conducive. It's disorderly conduct in the Senate. Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, you've had a chance to ask your question. The question was answered by the minister. Senator T horpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, we must proceed with question time. Senator Henderson, you have the call.