Senator BOB CARR (New South Wales—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (14:21): I thank you for your guidance, Mr President. The international implications of this, the international reputation involved here, are probity and falsity. For a member of the Australian Senate to conceal a five per cent shareholding in a company one-third owned by Mr Eddie Obeid, now the subject of some public attention, does raise matters of repute and matters of credibility. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When the Senate is ready on both sides we will proceed. Senator Fifield: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on relevance. There is only one senator in this chamber who appointed Eddie Obeid as a minister. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. That is debating the issue. You have the time after question time to debate it. Senator BOB CARR: To confirm that, I can reveal to the Senate that the ICAC has seized records of Australian Water Holdings relevant to the chairmanship of this company, an Obeid family company one-third owned by Mr Obeid, of the secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Sinodinos. Senator Abetz: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Sessional orders are very clear: answers need to be directly relevant. Could you please explain to the Senate and the viewing public how that answer in any way, shape or form is relevant, let alone directly relevant? The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. Senator BOB CARR: And, when asked about this by the Sydney Morning Herald, Senator Sinodinos's response about not revealing the shareholdings, as he was required by law, was, 'I had a gentlemen's agreement with Mr Obeid.' I think that speaks for itself. Thank you for the question. Senator Heffernan: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. For the record: those shares were declared on the pecuniary interest register. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no point of order. I remind honourable senators on both sides that, if there is a desire to debate the question, the question can be debated after 3 o'clock.