Senator DAVEY (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) (14:20): Minister, recent data from the MDBA shows that water diversions are now 23 per cent below sustainable diversion limits, yet the Labor government is continuing to prioritise buybacks out of farming communities. Why does the Labor government only look at buybacks as a solution and ignore real degradation drivers like European carp? When will the government listen to farmers rather than act against them? Senator Wong: A point of order: that relates to a policy area that is not in the agriculture portfolio. It's in— Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston! Senator Wong: She's very upset today. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Minister Wong. I think Senator Birmingham also has a point of order if you've finished yours. Senator Wong: With respect, what I'd ask the senator to consider, if she wants to recast her supplementary question, is that buybacks are clearly not the responsibility of the agriculture portfolio. Senator Birmingham: On the point of order, President: Senator Davey's primary question referenced a number of impacts on farming communities, and she identified water buybacks as one of those impacts in the primary question. This is a supplementary question going into that issue. The idea that water buybacks do not have an impact on the agriculture portfolio is preposterous. They may not be the direct responsibility of the agriculture portfolio, but that is like suggesting that industry policy doesn't impact the Treasury portfolio— The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Birmingham. Senator Birmingham: or a range of other areas with the impacts on industry— The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, please resume your seat. Senator Wong, I'm intending to respond. Senator Wong: The question related specifically to sustainable diversion limits. That is very clearly a matter not within this portfolio and cannot possibly be addressed to this minister. Senator Birmingham interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Birmingham, order! I am advised by the Clerk that Senator Davey should be given the opportunity to recast her question and link it to— Senator Birmingham interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Birmingham, you are not in a debate with me. I'm ruling on a point of order. Senator Davey, I invite you to recast your question and link it to agriculture. Senator DAVEY: With pleasure. Minister, recent MDBA data shows that irrigation farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin are using well below what have been identified as sustainable diversion limits, yet your government continues to buy water from them, negatively impacting their communities. Why don't you listen to the farmers and review your policies on how you treat irrigation farmers?