Senator HENDERSON (Victoria) (14:08): My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. Minister, last week you told the Senate that you first heard about sexual assault allegations in the week prior to them becoming public on 15 February 2021. Today the Australian newspaper reports that, in late January and early February 2021, Mr Martin Fisk, whose wife, Sandra, is the ACT Labor Party's operations manager, told the ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner that he was working with a young woman who was about to make a sexual assault disclosure that 'would likely attract media attention'. Minister, did Mr Fisk or his wife Sandra ever raise these allegations with you or your office prior to 15 February 2021. Senator Wong: I raise a point of order as to whether that question is in order. These are— Senator Hughes interjecting— Senator Wong: I'll take that interjection. Senator Gallagher has answered question after question on this and has been upfront and transparent with the Senate. I didn't take objection to the nature of the questioning, with reference to President Hogg's ruling, for two days, after which time I drew the President's attention to it. We are now at the point where the opposition, in their desperate attempt to continue this tactic—despite what the DPP has said about Ms Higgins's mental state at the conclusion of her trial—are asking about alleged conversations about which the minister has made no statement. I respectfully submit that the question is not in order. Senator Birmingham: President, in relation to the point of order by Minister Wong, it is clearly in order for, as President Hogg's ruling makes clear—as have subsequent rulings—a minister to be asked about statements they have made as a minister and, in particular, to be asked about statements they have made as a minister in this chamber. This question was premised first and foremost by referencing Senator Gallagher's statement— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, please resume your seat. Order on my left and my right! Senator Birmingham, please continue. Senator Birmingham: This question was premised first and foremost by referencing Senator Gallagher's statement to the Senate last week, and, as has been the case with questioning in relation to this, it is seeking to ascertain the veracity of those statements, given the deep concern about the minister having potentially misled the chamber. That is the basis upon which these questions have been asked and where this question is presented: testing the statement of the minister to the Senate in her capacity as a minister. The PRES IDENT: I've had a contribution from both leaders. I am going to refer back to the rulings that Senator Hogg made and I'm going to invite Minister Gallagher to answer that question in whatever way she thinks is relevant.