Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:00): Well, I'll take the interjection about shame because I think the shame is in trying to use an issue as serious as child abuse for political purposes, as that question does. There was no-one in this chamber— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Scarr? Senator Scarr: President, impugning the motive of my good friend Senator Liddle— The PRESIDENT: Senator Scarr, why are you on your feet? Senator Scarr: I rise on a point of order—impugning the motive of Senator Liddle, accusing her— The PRESIDENT: It's not a point of order. There was no impugning. Minister Wong, please continue. I ask Senators to listen with respect and in silence. Senator WONG: Everyone in this chamber would condemn child abuse. Everyone in this chamber, regardless of political— An opposition senator interjecting— Senator WONG: That should be withdrawn then I'll respond to the primary. An opposition senator interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Ruston, I'm attempting to deal with a request to withdraw. Senator Wong, I'm sorry, there was so much noise, I'm not quite sure who you are asking me to ask to withdraw. Senator WONG: It's regrettable that people with senior positions in this place would think that they shouldn't withdraw that. I'll repeat what I said. Everyone in this chamber condemns child abuse. Everyone in this chamber believes that every child has a right to grow up safe and healthy. Whatever our political views, I don't agree with the way in which it has been put to me—the implication that was put in the question. I will again repeat: every decent person across this country would stand against and does stand against child abuse, so to imply there is anything other than that view across this chamber, I think, is wrong and unfair. What I'm saying is that— Opposition members interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister Wong, have you finished your contribution? Senator WONG: Obviously, I was not in this chamber. There are somewhat pressing matters, as the chamber would be aware, that anyone in this role would have to be engaging in. But I would say this: I understand the government's position to be that we don't need another royal commission to tell us that concrete action is needed, that we do all share a focus on the immediate issue of keeping women and children safe and of ending violence against women and children. You would be aware our last budget provided substantial funding— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Liddle, a first supplementary?