Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:05): Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Personal abuse will get him nowhere, and unlike the minister the US does— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Just wait a minute. When the shouting stops on both sides, we will continue. Wait a minute, Senator Bob Carr. I will give you the call when there is order. Senator Bob Carr: Mr President, on a point of order: I take offence that those mild-mannered comments of mine represent a test of my capacity, well established over many years, for personal abuse. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! We are not debating this. Senator ABETZ: And this man represents Australia overseas! What a pathetic creature! My question is this: I refer the minister to his own statement on ABC News 24 last night on— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Wait a minute, Senator Abetz. Just resume your seat. Just wait a minute. Senator Abetz is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator ABETZ: I ask that the clock be reset. I refer the minister to his statement on ABC— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Resume your seat. I need to hear the question. The clock is a guide to me. I will allow the question. Senator ABETZ: I refer the minister to his statement on ABC News 24 last night on the government's decision to abstain from the vote on Palestine's bid for UN observer status—namely, 'I was, with abstention, willing to be persuaded to vote yes.' Minister, did you threaten to vote against the Prime Minister in caucus on this issue? Aren't your honeyed words about the Prime Minister shaping the final decision on this issue simply designed to paper over her humiliation?