Senator McKENZIE (Victoria—Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) (14:39): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator McCarthy. Many small businesses in regional Australia have been shocked at the impact of Labor's industrial relations agenda, especially measures like multi-employer bargaining and 'right to disconnect' laws, which were never revealed by the Labor Party prior to the election. At the National Press Club yesterday, Minister Watt was asked by David Crowe if Labor: … will put your IR agenda to voters or will there be some surprises after the election? In response, the minister said: Well, I think governments always take items to an election and then deliver extra things after they are elected. To reassure small businesses in regional Australia, will the minister rule out surprise and unwelcome Labor industrial relations reform after the election, or should they brace for more unwelcome surprises from Labor? Senator Wong: Point of order. I note it does have 'regional' in the question, but it clearly, in policy terms, relates to the bloke sitting next to her. Now, I know you're scared of asking him a question, but he is available. Senator Birmingham: President, on the point of order: indeed, I took a similar point of order on 12 September, when government senators had asked then Minister Watt, who was acting as the minister representing the minister for regional development, specific questions about tax cuts and energy relief—matters not at all relevant to his portfolio, but the questions were framed in their impact on regional Australians and regional development. This question was very clearly framed in relation to regional Australia and regional development, and I'd invite you to uphold the words that you said on 12 September and that you advise the chamber that, as the minister repping regional development, he can answer in that capacity the questions that were asked. The PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Senator Birmingham. I'm very pleased that you take an avid interest in the rulings I make from the chair. I will seek the advice of the Clerk. I give similar advice: I invite the minister to answer the question to the extent that it relates to regional Australia and that part of the portfolio you're representing.