Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:55): I thank the senator for the question. Obviously I have been here, so I haven't listened to every word that has been uttered in the other place. With all due respect to my senatorial colleague, I am not necessarily going to take as read her assertion about what has been said. But I will make the point that the opposition, in their attack on this, are seeking that this government uphold a standard that they never did. You never did it in government and never in opposition. The reality is that we have strengthened the ministerial code of conduct so that ministers are not able to hold shares or blind trusts. If you had this standard in government, would you like to know who would be in breach? The Leader of the Opposition would be in breach, the Leader of the National Party would be in breach, the Shadow Treasurer would be in breach and the Manager of Opposition Business would be in breach. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: The truth hurts, doesn't it, Senator? The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Hume? Senator Hume: Madam President, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. I only asked whether it was true that the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories has breached the Prime Minister's ministerial code of conduct—the current Prime Minister's ministerial code of conduct. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Hume. I do believe the minister is being relevant. It is a question about the code. Minister? Senator WONG: I am asked about the ministerial code of conduct and alleged breaches of same, and I make the point that the code of conduct that applies to the executive under this government is the standard that those opposite, including Senator Hume, never held themselves to. I would make that point— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Hume? Senator Hume: Senator Wong, I am sorry, but that was an imputation directly on me, and I don't think you have actually read my register of interests, because then you would see that, unlike many people on your side of the chamber, I do not own any shares. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, this is not an opportunity for debate. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: It was not intended in the way it obviously was heard, and I withdraw that. I do withdraw that. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Senator WONG: I have always taken the view that it is just easier not to own anything. But I would make that point. I am sure the Prime Minister has answered whatever questions the Leader of the Opposition or his tactics team have put to the Prime Minister. We have made clear that the ministerial code doesn't require— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Birmingham? Senator Birmingham: President, I note that the Leader of the Government in the Senate has spoken generically about the ministerial code—has made a number of other assertions irrelevant to the question but has spoken about the code. It was a direct question about whether a minister has breached the code. If the Leader of the Government in the Senate indicates that she is not aware of the precise details, in the 13 seconds remaining, she should take the question on notice so she can provide a direct answer to the direct question. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Birmingham. I am struggling with your point of order. I accept that you acknowledge that the minister is answering the question. I note the comments you made in relation to her most recent statement. I don't believe that is a point of order, but it is up to Senator Wong whether she takes it on a notice or not. Minister. Senator WONG: As is my practice, I will obviously provide more information to the chamber if I am able. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Minister. Senator Hume, first supplementary.