Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:46): It does say something about the motivation of those opposite that, after the government senators voted in support of a motion which specifically— Senator Cash: Mr Albanese is the Prime Minister. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, I've asked for silence. It applies to you. You've asked your question. Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, no. Silence! You're not in a debate with me. I've asked for silence. I'm the President. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: I will go back to the beginning. It does say something about the motivation of those opposite that, after the government senators have voted for a motion which makes clear our position on that phrase, they seek to make political division about it. It says something about their motivation. Senator Ruston interjecting— Senator WONG: It says something about their genuineness. I am always happy, and I have been for all of my political life, to stand— Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, order! I am waiting for silence. Senator Birmingham: I raise a point of order. The Prime Minister, in the other place, has twice today been asked whether he has intervened in this matter. The Minister representing the Prime Minister in this place has now thrice been asked whether he has acted on this matter. I ask that the minister respond directly to the specific question asked by Senator Cash, which could not have been worded more precisely, about whether or not the Prime Minister has spoken with Senator Payman. The PRESIDENT: I believe that the minister is being relevant. I have asked for silence. Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cash, I do hope that comment was not directed to me. It is my job, as the President, and my authority— Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, be quiet!—to demand order in this place. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should withdraw the imputation about the President. Senator Cash interjecting— Senator McGrath interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cash and Senator McGrath! Senator Cash responded by saying it wasn't directed at me. Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, you are not in a debate with me or Senator Watt. Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash! No, Senator Cash. It's time for silence. I'm going to ask the minister to finish her contribution, and I do want silence and I want some respect. Senator WONG: We know what the motivation is from those opposite. They're not interested in the government— Senator Hughes: How dare you support terrorists? The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt? Senator Watt: I'm sure you heard— The PRESIDENT: I did. I don't want it repeated. I'm simply going to ask Senator Hughes to withdraw that comment. Senator Hughes: I think everyone would. I withdraw The PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, I'm going to ask you once again to withdraw the comment without commentary. Senator Hughes: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Minister, please continue. Senator WONG: We support security for Israel, and we support the establishment of a Palestinian state. (Time expired) Senator Hanson-Young: I'm on a point of order, President. There are rules in this place about treating people with respect and about having a safe workplace. What I have just seen is intimidation, bullying and harassment of a high order. If you're going to come into this place and do it, you should be called out and thrown out. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, thank you very much. You are not on a point of order. I can assure you that I was neither bullied nor intimidated, and the comments were withdrawn. Senator Hanson-Young interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, please resume your seat. All of the offensive comments have been withdrawn. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator Wong: On the point of order, this is an issue on which there are strong emotions and strong views. I would really encourage all senators to not engage in personal attacks in the context of this debate. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, I didn't hear the comments, but, if you made the comment, I would invite you at this point— Senator Hughes interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Please don't talk to me when I am speaking. I didn't hear the comment. Senator Waters: I heard the comment. The PRESIDENT: The same applies to you, Senator Waters. You can't stand up and demand respect in this place if you don't then respect me when I'm responding. The fact of the matter is— Senator Thorpe: President— The PRESIDENT: No, Senator Thorpe, I'm not entertaining any points of order. Please resume your seat. That is my prerogative, to not— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McGrath, order! Senator Hughes, if you did make a further comment, I invite you to withdraw. That is up to you. I am going to move on. I am going to continue to ask for respectful silence, and I remind people of the Jenkins review and what we've all committed to: to be respectful.