Senator CASH (Western Australia—Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (15:22): I also rise to support the motion moved by Senator Birmingham. But the question we all need to ask is: why? Why is it so important that we be given an opportunity to note what has been outlined in Senator Birmingham's motion? In the first instance, the role of the government when it comes here is to justify itself to the Australian people. For one hour a day, those who are not in government are given the opportunity from two o'clock until three o'clock—and we've had members in the gallery today join us—to pursue what is called question time. The role of question time has been one that has been here since the time parliament commenced. The mere fact that you clearly don't know what the role of question time is says a lot. During question time— Senator McGrath: You don't like accountability. You can't even spell it! The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, please resume your seat. Senator McGrath, your interjections are so loud they are drowning out Senator Cash. Please continue. Senator CASH: those not in government are given the opportunity to ask questions of the executive, but, you see, the ministers that have been asked the question then have a responsibility to the parliament to be accountable. And what we have seen this week—in particular with Senator Farrell, as the acting leader of the Australian Senate, the Minister representing the Prime Minister of Australia—is a complete, total and utter disregard for this place, the Australian Senate and a complete, total and utter disregard for the Australian people, because, quite frankly, if you don't know the answer to a question, you're actually better off just saying to us you don't know. We would actually prefer that answer to what you have done this week. To those listening in, this is the contempt the leader in the Australian Senate, the Minister representing the Prime Minister, has shown. And it's not just to the Senate, because the Senate represents the Australian people. So, it is the contempt that is being shown this week to the Australian people. Senator McGrath asked Senator Farrell a question: 'My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Can the minister name anywhere in Australia where power prices have been reduced since Labor have been in government?' This is the response Senator Farrell gave to the Australian people: 'I thank Senator McGrath for his question. I do not follow power prices closely enough to be able to answer the question.' He then went on to say: 'I'm not sure that there's any person in the chamber who so closely watches power prices that they are able to get that answer.' Well, Senator Farrell, I say to you, there actually are people in the chamber who follow power prices. There are people in the gallery who know what the increase in the their power bill is. There are people listening in— Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Senator Cash, again, I remind you that we are discussing the suspension of standing orders. You started off well. Thank you. Senator CASH: The whole point is, it is the lack of accountability shown by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, the contempt that was shown to the Australian Senate this week. Yes, it is a matter of urgency that this motion be debated. Looking at the substance of the motion that Senator Birmingham has moved, why should we take note of this? Because it is important for us as the opposition to hold the government to account for broken promises. The government went to the election and stated certain things to the Australian people. Are we saying we should not note this fact in the chamber? Are we saying that it is not important enough for this place to actually note that, prior to the election, Mr Albanese said on over 97 occasions, 'I will reduce your power bills by $275'? And you had in the Australian Senate this week a simple question. Can you actually even say the words '$275'? The minister can't even bring himself to say the words '$275'. So, President, I would put to you and to the chamber: it is of great importance that this suspension motion be agreed to. It is of great importance because the contempt that has been on display to this place, to the people who've joined us here in the gallery this week and to the Australian people has, quite frankly, been like nothing I've seen in my almost 15 years here. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Cash. Senator McKim.