Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (15:00): That question is from a man who follows a leader who pretends to be a conviction politician while arguing for a plebiscite that he said he would ignore. What sort of conviction politician says, 'I so care about this issue so much the people should decide, but, by the way, I'll ignore it.' That completely exposes both the senator and Mr Abbott for what they are. They are far more interested in playing a short-term political game, trying to be destructive and negative, than acting in the long-term national interest. We on this side understand that the challenge of climate change will not disappear because some people on that side are not prepared to face up to it. We on this side and other members of this parliament are prepared to take that responsibility. It is not an easy policy challenge but it is not one that should continue to be ducked because some people want to play a few political games. (Time expired) Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. During question time I asked you to rule on an interjection from Senator Joyce. That was shouted out, and it was clearly heard by the member, who did not take offence but had every right to. I ask you to check the Hansard to see if that interjection is audible and then to rule on whether it is. The PRESIDENT: Let me just clarify one thing. I did not hear any interjection and I made that quite clear. If it was audible it was certainly not audible to me. I will undertake to check the Hansard, but let's make it quite clear: I did not hear it. Senator Joyce: Mr President, on the point of order. I made a reference to a bottle. If that was offensive, I withdraw. There you go, Senator Brown—happy? Senator Bob Brown: No, that's not it. Senator Joyce: That was it, you goose. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The President has already undertaken to review the tape, and it will be left in the hands of the President. Senator Wong: Mr Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. Senator Joyce's response just then really was not appropriate. He ought to withdraw the way in which he just spoke to a fellow senator. Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! When the chamber comes to order— Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Joyce, I did not hear what you said at the end of your statement, but it has been reported to me, and Senator Wong has asked you to withdraw. If you did refer in an unparliamentary way to a colleague, I would ask you to withdraw. Senator Joyce: Mr Deputy President, I did refer to him as a goose, and I withdraw that. Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! We are not going to proceed until there is order. Senator Chris Evans: Mr Deputy President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.