Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:19): What I have made clear publicly when I have been asked that is that we are engaged in collective self-defence. The reason we are doing that is that we know that the gulf countries have been the subject of attacks from Iran. They are countries that have not participated in strikes against Iran, but have themselves been attacked with a barrage of missiles and drones, including civilian targets, civilian infrastructure and areas where Australians are present. From the government's perspective, our obligation, our first priority, is to do all we can to keep people safe. That is why we announced that deployment yesterday. The purpose of that deployment is to help the UAE and other gulf nations defend themselves and, in doing so, also help the Australians who are resident— Senator Waters: President, I raise a point of order on relevance. Are we at war? The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant to your question, Senator Waters. Senator WONG: I responded by being clear that we are engaged in collective self-defence with the gulf nations, and I explained why that is in our national interest and why civilians are at risk. We are working to protect civilians. I do find it passing strange. The Greens political party are entitled to be pacifists, but you do not seem to be concerned about civilian lives in gulf states, including Australians. We are not taking offensive action against— Senator Hanson-Young: President, I raise a point of order on relevance. The question was very direct, and we ask the minister to answer it. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, Senator Waters stood on a point of order on exactly the same matter. The minister is being relevant. I will answer your point of order in the same way. The minister is being relevant. Senator Ayres? Senator Ayres: Just on that point of order, the question purports to be a serious question— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ayres, I have ruled on the point of order. Please resume your seat. Minister Wong, did you wish to continue? Senator WONG: Yes, thank you. What the government have made clear is that we are not taking offensive action against Iran and we are not deploying Australian troops on the ground in Iran. We are taking defensive actions to support our partners' efforts to keep Australians safe. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Waters, first supplementary?