Senator WATERS (Queensland) (14:22): Mr President, I ask that the minister take that first question on notice and I ask a supplementary question. The LNP have responded to a survey from Lock the Gate, saying that in government they will not allow mining in areas of high conservation value. Nature refuges are, by legal definition, areas of high conservation value, and yet their biggest donor wants to destroy this nature refuge. Does the government believe that the LNP, under their own commitment, should stop Clive Palmer mining this nature refuge, and will this in fact be the first test of how much influence Clive Palmer has over the LNP? The PRESIDENT: The question is clearly not in order. It is asking the minister for an expression of opinion about another party's policy but not even in the federal jurisdiction. In fairness to you, Senator Waters, I have given people in such circumstances before the opportunity to rephrase their question to make it in order, so I am giving you that opportunity now to put the question in order. Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. The first part of that question was totally in order. It did ask about Commonwealth government action. The second part you may rule on. The first part is in order and I ask you to rule that way. The PRESIDENT: I have given Senator Waters the opportunity to rephrase the question to make the question in order. Senator WATERS: Thank you, Mr President. I shall rephrase it. If the LNP government breaks its recent promise and bows to its donor Clive Palmer's interests, allowing him to mine Bimblebox, what will the federal— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! The senator is entitled to be heard in silence. I need to hear the question. Senator WATERS: If the LNP government breaks its recent promise—the future LNP government, the likely LNP government— Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. As you well appreciate, you do not need to go further than she has already done: 'If someone does something'—it is purely hypothetical and clearly against the standing orders. Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Here are the Queensland Nationals and Liberals running for cover. The question is quite clearly: will a future— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Bob Brown: Senator Waters has asked the question— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Wait a minute, Senator Brown. On my left! Senator Brown, I do want to hear what you have got to say, but I cannot so long as there is noise on my left. Senator Bob Brown: But they do not, Mr President. The fact is that Senator Waters quite clearly asked about federal government action if that reserve is threatened. It is a valid question. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. I have to hear the question in its totality before making the judgment. I am inviting Senator Waters now to continue with her question. Senator WATERS: I will get to the nub of it. What will the federal government do to protect Bimblebox from Clive Palmer and an LNP government? Senator Joyce: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Joyce, like everyone in this chamber, you are entitled to be heard in silence as well. On my right! Senator Joyce: Once more it is a hypothetical. It is on a premise that will probably be the case on Monday, but at this point in time, and for the next couple of days, there is no LNP government in Queensland. Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. The PRESIDENT: Senator Bob Brown, I am going to allow the question to stand.