Mr RUDD (Griffith—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (15:00): In fact, the last time I was asked a serious question on foreign policy by the shadow minister for foreign affairs, I do not think Wyatt Roy was even of drinking age. And maybe he is still not of legal drinking age. The SPEAKER: Order! The minister knows that he must refer to the honourable member for Longman by his title. Mr RUDD: The honourable member for Longman was not of legal drinking age and perhaps he is still not of legal drinking age. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asks about events in the Maldives. Can I say this: I spoke to the former President of the Maldives only three nights ago— Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! Mr RUDD: Those opposite seem to think that this is a trivial matter, when hundreds of people are being beaten in the streets, when we have had— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Order! Members on both sides will remain silent during the response by the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the duration of that response. I notice there are two minutes and nine seconds left. Minister. Mr RUDD: On 7 February, President Nasheed, who attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth only last October-November, was removed from office. I, on 9 February, telephoned the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, as Australia is currently Chair of the Commonwealth and I therefore, as a result, am Chair of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers conference. As a result of that, the Commonwealth foreign ministers who make up the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group conducted a teleconference on Saturday evening about what measures to take against what is alleged to have been a fundamental undermining of Commonwealth values in the removal of this democratically elected head of state. Opposition members interjecting— Mr RUDD: Those opposite trivialise the fact that hundreds of people have been arrested, that hundreds of people have been subjected to violence in the streets of the capital city of Male and, on top of that, that we are likely to have seen the forced removal, under threat of armed violence with guns, of a democratically elected head of state. Those opposite regard these matters as being trivial. As foreign minister of Australia I do not regard them as trivial. As a consequence of the meeting conducted on Saturday evening on the telephone with seven participating foreign ministers around the world, a ministerial delegation of three foreign ministers or their representatives will now be dispatched to Male to establish whether in fact this coup has occurred through violent means and, if so, the necessary course of action would be suspension from the Commonwealth. We take these matters seriously. Mr Ciobo: Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. The Minister for Trade made a nasty and offensive comment and I would ask you to ask him to withdraw it. The SPEAKER: If the Minister for Trade made a nasty or offensive comment, he would assist the chair if he withdrew. I did not hear the comment, but if the minister made an inappropriate comment he should withdraw. Dr Emerson: I made no inappropriate comment. I will not withdraw. The SPEAKER: I accept the assurance of the minister. I now give the call to the honourable member for Throsby.