Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:54): I seek leave to move a motion concerning the consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024. Leave not granted. Senator WONG: Pursuant to contingent notice of motion, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to allow a motion relating to the consideration of the bill to be moved and determined immediately. Can I indicate to the opposition that, if they are so keen on their last question, then, when the bill is finished, we will come back for question time and give Senator Birmingham his last question. We're very happy to do that. In question time today Senator Cash said that the CFMEU was infiltrated by organised crime. Well, what I would say to Senator Cash is it's time to stop being John Setka's friend. Senator McGrath interjecting— Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator McGrath and Senator Cash! Senator WONG: It's time to stop being John Setka's friend. The only people who don't want to pass this bill— Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, Order! Senator McGrath interjecting— Senator Henderson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McGrath, Senator Henderson, Order! Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: There are only two sorts of people who want this legislation delayed. They are the lawyers and certain officials in the CFMEU and members of the Liberal and National parties in the Senate, led by Senator Michaelia Cash. They are the only two people who want this legislation delayed. So, Senator Cash, what I would say to you—I know you always love to have a fight. I know you always love to have a political fight, but this is a time when we have organised crime— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, resume your seat. Order! Senator Henderson— Senator Birmingham interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I'm sorry, Senator Henderson. Senator Birmingham, you might want to turn around. There is a senator on your own side on her feet. Senator Henderson: Thank you, President. On a point of order, I would ask that you would ask Senator Wong to direct her comments through the chair. The PRESIDENT: I would ask, Senator Henderson, that, when I call your name or the name of Senator McKenzie or the name of Senator McGrath or the name of Senator Cash, that you listen in respectful silence. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: Thank you, President. I'm happy to address through you. Senator Cash, President, consistently comes in here and talks about CFMEU corruption, but she is the person standing in the way of this bill passing today. If she tells the coalition to vote against this legislation, then the game she is playing will be clear to everybody in this country and in this parliament. It will be clear that she is only interested in positioning politically on this, not actually interested in cleaning up this union, which is what this government is trying to do. So I say to Senator Cash: listen to the Master Builders, when they say—listen to this; this is the Master Builders of Australia— Honourable senators interjecting— Senator WONG: Should I wait for you to finish shouting so you can listen to the quote? Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Order! Senator McKim: Tell us what Woodside think! The PRESIDENT: Seriously! Senator McKim, order! It is absolutely disrespectful that I've had to call order about 10 times. I'm the President of the Senate and I demand that you respect the call when I ask for silence and not try and outbid each other in shouting across the chamber. It's disgraceful. Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I ask the coalition to listen to this statement of the Master Builders of Australia. On 15 August 2024, first paragraph, 'Parliament must pass the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 this afternoon.' Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: I'm going to say it again, because they're shouting at me because they don't want to listen. 'Parliament must pass the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024'— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash! Senator McGrath! Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash, I just asked for you in particular to be silent. I also asked for you in particular to be silent, Senator McGrath. Both of you are treating what I'm asking the Senate to do with absolute disrespect. Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I'll start again. The Master Builders of Australia said, 'Parliament must pass'— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: You really don't want to hear it, do you? You don't want to hear it. You're trying to pretend—I'll say it again, because they don't want to hear it: 'Parliament must pass the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 this afternoon.' Just so all of the backbench understand, what the shadow minister is asking you to do is oppose what the Master Builders want. Senator Cash interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash! Senator WONG: The Australia Constructors Association said: The industry cannot afford continued uncertainty, so we call on all parties to finalise and pass the Bill without further delay. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McGrath! Senator Hume! Senator Henderson! Senator WONG: You can tell we've hit a nerve, President, when they can't stop shouting while I'm on my feet, because they know what I'm saying is true. They are playing politics with this issue, and we should all be passing this bill to clean up the CFMEU. This government is bringing it forward; the industry is asking for it. This is about making sure that we weed out the corruption and the organised crime, according to Senator Cash's own words, inside the CFMEU, and you have an opportunity to do it today. And, if you do not, your political hypocrisy will be on display. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator WONG: You should listen to the Master Builders, you should listen to the Australian Constructors Association and you should pass this bill without delay. Senator Cash interjecting— Senator WONG: You have not drawn breath during this contribution, because you know you are wrong! What Senator Cash is asking the coalition to do is the wrong thing to do. This bill should be passed today without further delay. We know what is happening in the CFMEU. It's time to ditch the politics and do what the employers are asking for. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, I will give you the call in a moment. It has been a long time since there has been such a disgraceful display of blatant disregard for my many calls for order. I called for order; I called senators by name, and you completely ignored me. That was disgraceful—absolutely disgraceful. You are representing the Australian parliament and you are representing the Senate. I expect you to listen in respectful silence.