Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (10:07): Let us be very clear, this suspension is not about national interest; it's about political interest. You know how you most know that? Because we have this unholy alliance between Senator Michaelia Cash and Senator David Shoebridge—what an unusual combination!—combining to agree to deliver the numbers to suspend the Senate. Senator Cash and Senator Shoebridge together—what an extraordinary demonstration of the fact that they will do anything in order to engage in a political stunt while there is a war going on. What we know— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, senators! Senator Cash was just heard in complete silence. Senator Shoebridge: Labor's war! The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge! Such disrespect— Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: You are not debating me, Senator Shoebridge. Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, I am demanding order in this Senate and I am demanding silence. The respect shown to Senator Cash—whether or not you agree with the proposition that was put—will also be shown to Senator Wong. Senator Faruqi: Labor has started a war. The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, Order! Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong! Senator Paterson interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Paterson! I'm not going to sit here and call every single senator. You are being disrespectful towards me. I've called for silence. I've called for the same respect that was shown to Senator Cash to be shown to Senator Wong. Senator Wong. Senator WONG: Thank you. Not content with wanting to work with One Nation, the Liberals now want to work with the Greens to get on board. It is really a demonstration that what used to be a party of government is interested only in political stunts in this chamber, and Senator Michaelia Cash is prepared to do deals with Senator David Shoebridge to get the numbers to provide the space for a political stunt. Now, what I would say is that we are seeing the coalition, the Liberals and Senator Shoebridge and the Greens playing politics on a motion on a conflict where Iran continues to attack the region, people are dying, Australians are stranded and the government is working to respond. That is what is happening here. Senator Cash, if you had wanted an orderly debate on this, rather than throwing a motion at us five minutes before this debate, I would have been open to a sensible debate in the national interest. But, no, instead you work with the Australian Greens for this stunt in order to take up time on Closing the Gap. Can I just make a comment about Closing the Gap—and I'll have more to say about this in the debate after you vote with each other to delay Closing the Gap? I understand the Liberals don't want to debate Closing the Gap. I understand that the coalition and One Nation don't want to debate it, other than to say things which are hurtful to First Nations people, but you are a party that should know better. Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie! Senator WONG: You are a party that should understand that this is an important debate, and I'm not surprised you're on your feet. Senator Allman-Payne interjecting— The PRESIDENT: When you have quite finished, Senator Allman-Payne! If you can't listen in silence, leave the chamber. Your interjections have been incredibly disrespectful. Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I am waiting for order. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: I'm unsurprised that the coalition may try and have a political stunt delay Closing the Gap. It doesn't matter that there was an alleged terrorist attack targeting First Nations Australians. It doesn't matter that First Nations are grappling with disbelief and fear. What does matter is that this is a time when the Senate is supposed to show respect and commitment by taking allocated time to debate progress for First Nations people in this country. What is extraordinary is that the Greens political party is supporting the Liberals and the Nationals to deprioritise the Closing the Gap debate for a stunt on Iran. From a party that has no stake in Indigenous representation at any level of any state or federal government, I am unsurprised, but we stand with Senator McCarthy and the First Nations caucus. We want a debate that is scheduled for Closing the Gap, and we invite you to do the right thing. On that basis I move: That the motion be now put. Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: It is outrageous, Senator McKenzie. The behaviour in here is outrageous. Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, I will name you if you do not come to order. Senator Bragg interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Bragg, I will name you if you don't come to order. Senator Wong has asked for the motion to be put. The question is that the motion be put. Question agreed to. The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion to suspend standing order be agreed to.