Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:03): For the last two weeks we have seen the opposition trying to blame everybody else for their own shortcomings rather than take responsibility for their actions or their failure to act. Senator Birmingham conveniently wants us to not remember what this is about. We remember what this is about and so do people around the country. Senator Rennick: It's a private matter. Senator WONG: I don't know that an alleged rape is a private matter, Senator. You may think that. A Liberal staffer made an allegation that she was raped in a Liberal minister's office, metres from a Liberal prime minister's office, and instead of dealing with these issues appropriately, instead of taking a long, hard look at themselves, they just tried to point the fingers at others. What is worse— Senator Hughes interjecting— Senator Colbeck interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Once again, the comments across the chamber are disorderly and disrespectful. I am asking you to either listen in silence or leave the chamber. Senator WONG: Those opposite seek to punish Ms Higgins. They seek to punish her supporters. And they seek to punish anyone in this place who sought to ask reasonable questions of them. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Colbeck interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Colbeck. I have just called the chamber to order. Senator Urquhart? Senator Urquhart: [inaudible] withdraw that imputation on Senator Wong. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, I did not hear the— Senator Urquhart interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Urquhart! I'm dealing with it. Senator Hughes, I did not hear what was said, but, in the interests of this debate, particularly, and the good order of the chamber, I would ask you to withdraw. Senator Hughes: In order to not politicise, I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Hughes. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: President, we need to remember what this is about. It's about the wellbeing of a young woman who bravely stood up— Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order. Senator Ruston. Senator WONG: and spoke out, whose employer, the Morrison Liberal government, let her down— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Order! The disorder on my left is disrespectful. Senator Wong is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator WONG: a young woman who bravely stood and told her story, whose employer let her down, in the days, weeks and months that followed the allegation she reported to them. After two years, when the government and party she served did nothing, Ms Higgins made the courageous decision to stand up and speak out. Those allegations were made public on Ms Higgins's own terms. Now, she knew— Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston! Senator WONG: when she came forward that she would become a political target. And we have seen that, this fortnight. But she did it anyway, because she was determined to change the culture in this building, to make it a better place for other women, and she has. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order. Senator WONG: Her courage and her selflessness helped start a national reckoning. It helped lead to the Jenkins report. It helped this government to set the standard and implement Respect@Work. And who was spearheading these reforms? No-one opposite. They let the Respect@Work report gather dust on Mr Porter's desk. They dragged their feet and failed to act on key recommendations. It is Senator Gallagher who has led these reforms with her usual integrity and conviction. And these reforms have made a difference. But you know what? It will take all of us to ensure they actually have an effect. It will take reflection, and it will take taking responsibility for change. But, regrettably, what has been demonstrably clear this last fortnight is that what has not changed is the attitude of too many of those opposite. We've seen that in their behaviour this fortnight. Too many of them have learnt nothing from the national reckoning of two years ago. The very same members of the opposition who were at the centre of events years ago—the very same members of the opposition who have dodged questions, have carefully chosen their language and evaded scrutiny, and have never been transparent about their knowledge and action—are now pointing the finger at others. It's a desperate attempt to launder their reputation—a desperate attempt to rewrite history by peddling false accusations about others. People opposite are willing to use the private text messages of an alleged victim-survivor of sexual assault, in this chamber for their own political purposes. I've seen a lot of things— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator WONG: I've seen a lot of things, but that was a new low. Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash. Senator WONG: All of that they would rather do than to take responsibility for their own shortcomings—to reflect on what they might have done differently. Instead, they've sought to punish Ms Higgins and her supporters. Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston! Senator WONG: They've sought to punish people who sought to ask reasonable questions of them about their knowledge and their action. Well, the events of last week, whether they concern Ms Higgins or others, including another senator, show once again— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESI DENT: Order! Minister Wong. Order on my left! I should not have to constantly call for order. You are being disrespectful. Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: The events of this fortnight show: if anything, there are questions to be answered on the other side. But, more importantly, there's the message that has been sent by the behaviour of those opposite to women around this country about how they will be treated should they make an allegation of sexual assault. Those opposite should consider their actions and the responsibilities they bear. And with that, I move: That the motion be now put. The PRESIDENT: The question is that the question be put.