Senator CONROY (Victoria—Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (14:29): It is probably a question more appropriate for the Special Minister of State, who handles that particular committee— Opposition members interjecting— Senator CONROY: No, I am happy. The level of detail I am sure Senator Wong would have been able to provide would be far more than I could. Opposition members interjecting— The PRESIDENT: When there is silence on both sides, we will proceed. Senator CONROY: The Gillard government has announced a $107 million rescue package for Victorian hospitals, following Premier Ted Baillieu's failure to properly manage the state's health system. The cash injection will be paid directly to local hospital networks, which will distribute the money to ailing Victorian hospitals, and it will not pass through the hands of the Baillieu government. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Order! Senator Brandis was first to his feet. Senator Brandis: On a point of order, Mr President, that of relevance. The minister was asked about the costs of some advertisements and whether they had been approved by the relevant committee. Those were the only matters the question was directed to. The PRESIDENT: I am listening closely to the minister's answer. At this stage there is no point of order. Senator CONROY: For two years Premier Baillieu's blatant disregard for the welfare of Victorian patients has seen beds close, elective surgery waiting lists blow out and standards of care decline. That is what the Baillieu government has delivered. The PRESIDENT: Order! Wait a minute, Senator Ryan, you will get the call. When I have silence in this place, I give people the call. You are entitled to be heard in silence. I am consistent right across the board. Senator Ryan: My point of order relates to direct relevance. It is another 20 seconds since you previously ruled that he was in order. He has not mentioned the advertisements, or the committee, or the process or the cost. The PRESIDENT: Order! Order! Wait a minute, Senator Collins, I said I would give the call when there is silence. Senator Jacinta Collins: Senator Conroy covered at the outset of his answer that if the opposition wants a more precise answer on this issue they should direct the question more appropriately. He referred to the Special Minister of State, but what Senator Conroy is covering, which is directly relevant, is the need for those advertisements. The situation in Victorian hospitals is indeed dire and that is why those advertisements— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Order! I did say on the previous point of order that I was listening to the answer of the minister. On the current point of order I will say that I am continuing to listen to the minister's response, but I do draw the minister's attention to the question. Senator CONROY: On government advertising, the government continues to spend more than $100 million less than the $254 million spent by those opposite in 2007—$254 million of taxpayers' funds spent on your previous government's advertising. We continue to be $100 million less. On the specific issue of the process of those ads, I am happy to take that on notice to see if there is any further information that is available.