Mr MARLES (Corio—Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence) (14:41): I genuinely do appreciate the question from the member opposite. Congressman Smith, welcome to question time. You're in for a treat! The question that we have just heard from the shadow minister is another example of how the Liberal Party, a party which actually has a proud history of governing this country, is today completely broken. The Pentagon itself has made clear that there was a meeting between me and Secretary Hegseth. The Pentagon itself today has made it clear that that meeting was coordinated in advance. But what we've heard through the course of this week is those opposite, firstly, suggesting that there wasn't going to be a meeting at all. Then there's a little bit of a debate about whether it's a meeting or whether it's happenstance. Presumably, those opposite think that the photos that have been published were magically generated by AI. Those opposite are an absolute joke. The shadow minister, in the question that he just framed, said that the alliance between Australia and the United States is a matter of bipartisan support. It has been the case that parties of government in this country have actually, irrespective of whether they are in opposition or in government, supported the nation in its relationship with the United States. Mr Taylor interjecting— The SPEAKER: No, I haven't given you call, and I'm not particularly inclined to take this point of order, because it can only be about relevance. The Deputy Prime Minister specifically answered the question about the meeting and gave context about that. Mr Taylor: The point of order is relevance. The question was very specific about the outcome of the meeting. The SPEAKER: Once again, Member for Hume, the Deputy Prime Minister is answering the question and giving context about the exact topic you asked about. Anyway, there's no point of order—that's my point. Mr MARLES: I think we all understand that the question from Captain Conspiracy over here was whether or not the meeting actually— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! No, the House will come to order, so I can hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Hawke: We do know why the Deputy Prime Minister is angry. We understand. It's been a bad day. There have been several versions of this meeting. We don't know which one is correct. We've asked a simple question. But he has an obligation to refer to members by their correct titles, and he did not. The SPEAKER: I want to hear from the Leader of the House. Mr Burke: You said you can't use any term at all. That term is so much nicer than what his own colleagues say about him! The SPEAKER: Order! We are going to bring the House to order. I know it's Thursday, but we are going to bring the House to order. Questions have been asked—entitled to do so. The Deputy Prime Minister is going to continue with his answer, and I don't want any more interruptions or interjections. And I want everyone referred to by their correct titles. Mr MARLES: The relationship between Australia and the United States should be above partisan politics. Parties in this country—whether they are parties of government in this country, whether they have been in government or in opposition—have come to this place wanting whoever is in government to succeed in our relationship with the United States. That's certainly the spirit that we brought to bear when we were in opposition. But right now, those opposite are desperately hoping that the nation fails in its relationship with the United States. And that is a disgrace! The fact of the matter is that those opposite should grow up and return to the place which has been occupied by the Liberal Party in the past—to support the alliance with the United States and do so in a bipartisan way. Mr Rick Wilson interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for O'Connor will leave the chamber under 94(a). We're not having snide remarks given out across the chamber. I've had enough of it. We're going to lift the tone for the remainder of question time for everyone watching in the gallery. And everyone around Australia is watching as well.