Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:16): The point I would make is that, under the arrangements that are in place, Qatar Airways can add more seats into Australia today and they are welcome to do so. We support— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Order! Order on my left! I should not have to call order repeatedly. It's disrespectful. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: We support sustainable growth of Australia's aviation sector. Right now, as the Senator would know, Qatar Airways can fly as many planes as they like into Adelaide, Avalon, Cairns, Canberra and the Gold Coast. An opposition senator: What about Perth? Senator WONG: I'm coming to Perth. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie? Senator McKenzie: On a point of order of direct relevance. I asked the minister about Perth and, specifically, the comments by the Labor Premier about the government's decision about Qatar Airways. The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant. Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I make two points. One is: yes, Qatar Airways could fly bigger planes into Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Other airlines have also added capacity—Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and China Southern Airlines have announced new flights— Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cash, it applies to you. Minister Wong, please continue. Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie, you've asked the question, you raised the point of order. I've called the minister to her feet again. I've called the Senate to order several times. And the minute the Minister stands, you interject. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: I was asked about the Premier's quote, and the Premier— Senator Hughes interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, points of order also include you. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: I was asked about competition, and in addition to the points I have made about Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and China Southern Airlines, I would make the point that these are national interest arrangements between governments, and in relation to competition, it isn't a free-for-all. There is no better person to talk about that than former minister McCormack, who said on 29 August, 'When I became DPM and transport minister in February 2018, I made a decision to put on hold an application from Qatar Airways.' Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: I'm unsurprised you want to interrupt the truth— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Order! Senator McKenzie? Senator McKenzie: On direct relevance again, Madam President. This minister has not gone near Premier Cook's comments, has not gone near standing up for Western Australians and the additional flights they seek. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, you've made your point of order. You asked about the government's decision in relation to Qatar Airlines, as it relates to Perth. I believe the minister is being relevant. I will continue to listen. The question is being answered. Minister Wong? Senator WONG: I was asked about a quote which referenced competition, and that's what I'm talking about. I'm also talking about your colleague the member for Riverina, who introduced a safeguards article to the Australia-Qatar air services agreement because he was concerned about undercutting other operators or abuse of market power. This updated deal was only finalised in 2022. We agree with that principle. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, a first supplementary?