Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:01): I thank the Acting Leader of the Opposition in the Senate for her question. I'm happy to answer every question that I'm asked in my usual forthright and transparent way. I'm unaware of these reports that you're referring to. Certainly, from my point of view, I'm not a vindictive sort of fellow. Am I? I certainly don't bear grudges. But I will make this observation, Senator Ruston: if the coalition seriously intend to be a party of government ever again—I don't know whether that is in your contemplation—there has to be a degree of maturity and common sense in the coalition in the way they approach the way in which this chamber is governed. The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston? Senator Ruston: President, I raise a point of order on direct relevance. I simply asked the— The PRESIDENT: No. Senator Ruston, I explained at the beginning of the question that it was outside the minister's portfolio area and he was to answer it in any way he saw fit, so there is no point of order. Senator McGrath: Senator Ruston is asking for clarification. The PRESIDENT: No. We're not seeking clarification. This is question time. You've put your question, I've ruled on it and the minister is answering. Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I sought advice from the clerk. I'm not in a debate with you, Senator Ruston. I made it very clear at the outset that the question was outside the portfolio area. I have made that assessment on previous— Senator McGrath interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McGrath, come to order! Senator McKenzie: The Prime Minister is bullying this chamber. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, come to order! You need to withdraw that, Senator McKenzie. Senator McKenzie: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Minister Farrell, I invite you to continue. Senator FARRELL: I am a little bit mystified by Senator Ruston's point of order given that I've offered to answer the question and I'm answering it in the only way I can, which is an honest answer in response to her question. But the point I'm trying to make to the coalition and to all of their colleagues—I know there's a degree of division within their groups, and I've read about a lot of that— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, first supplementary?