Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:16): It might have been better to go to the Attorney-General on this. I don't immediately recall the case you are talking about. In relation to Mr Assange, I have made clear, as has the Prime Minister, that we do believe this matter has dragged on too long. We want this matter brought to a close and we have made statements, both privately and publicly, to that effect. The proposition that you have continued to put forward in this matter is that somehow the Australian government can interfere with a Department of Justice matter or with the UK legal matters which are before the courts and, as a former lawyer of some distinction, as you impress upon us— Senator Scarr interjecting— Senator WONG: That's unfair? He doesn't impress that on us? Okay, I won't say he impresses that on us; that's fine. Senator McGrath interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McGrath. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: I will take the interjection. You might recall his interaction with Senator Watt, where he was telling Senator Watt what he did or did not know. I will go back to the question. Senator Whish-Wilson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Whish-Wilson, one of your senators is on his feet and you are busy interjecting. Senator Shoebridge, on a point of order? Senator Shoebridge: Two points: the first is relevance and the second one is seeking to sledge in the manner the minister does is deeply inappropriate. She should apologise. The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, the minister is being relevant to your question, thank you. Senator WONG: I am happy to withdraw that you impress about your distinction as a lawyer. I do understand— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge, on a point of order? Or resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge: The point of order is those kinds of sledges from the minister are contrary to the standing orders and she should know better. The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, resume your seat. As we all know, this is a robust chamber. It should not be disorderly or disrespectful. I did not rule that Senator Wong needed to withdraw. I will ask her to continue her answer to your question to which, as I said before, she is being relevant. Senator WONG: As I said, the Australian government is not able to intervene in another country's legal or court processes, just as another country is not able to intervene in a legal or court process in Australia. Senator Whish-Wilson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Whish-Wilson. Senator Whish-Wilson, you don't have the call. You are being disrespectful. The minister is answering the question. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: I'll repeat it: we have said there's nothing to be gained by Mr Assange's ongoing incarceration, and we have made those views clear to both the UK and the United States— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, a first supplementary?