Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Finance and Deregulation) (14:07): I am asked about former Treasurer Costello. Quite clearly the regard with which former Treasurer Costello holds the current economic team on that side of the chamber is demonstrated by his desire to return, his desire to ride again, his desire to get back into this place, because he knows those on the other side are incapable of putting a budget bottom line together. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: And here come the precious petals again. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Wong, you need to come to the question. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! On both sides. Senator Wong, you do need to come to the question. You have 35 seconds remaining. Senator WONG: I was asked a very political question about Mr Peter Costello and I responded in kind. I regret that his former allies on that side are so silent when required to defend him. Senator Brandis: Mr President, I raise a point of order on relevance and also on obedience to the chair. You asked the minister to come to the question. She is with contempt defying your ruling, and if the authority of the chair is to be defended you must insist that she obey your ruling. Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, there is no point of order. Senator Jacinta Collins: Yes, but you can't let him get away with that. The PRESIDENT: Order! I have drawn the minister's attention to the question. The minister now has 17 seconds to address the question and I draw the minister's attention to the question. Senator WONG: The reality is that I was asked to reflect on the coalition's record versus Labor's record. What I say is that this coalition has never yet done a budget bottom line which adds up, not once. They have never done it once. (Time expired)