Senator PAYNE (New South Wales) (14:29): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Kim Carr. I refer to the unresolved funding issue under the Indigenous Employment Program. Can the minister advise when Indigenous employment providers across Australia will formally advise of the commencement and cessation dates of the IEP funding moratorium and during what period—that is, what specific dates—did the moratorium apply? Why has the government still not provided any certainty for IEP providers like Habitat Personnel on the New South Wales South Coast and ACT and surrounding areas which has placed well over 97 Indigenous job seekers in jobs in the last nine months, basically working unfunded to do that? The PRESIDENT: The Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Kim Carr— Senator Wong: Mr President, on a point of order. I actually believe that I am representing the minister with responsibility for that program. I am happy for Senator Kim Carr to take as much as he can. I am certainly happy also to take on notice— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Wong: I am trying to be of assistance, Senator; I am actually not trying to make— Senator Ian Macdonald: He got to his feet. Don’t you trust him? Senator Wong: Senator Macdonald, I am trying to be of assistance, not make a political point. I know that you are incapable of understanding that fact, but that is what I am trying to do. Senator Sterle interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister is trying to assist the process. Senator Payne: Mr President, on a point of order: would Senator Sterle like to repeat the remark he made on the record? I doubt it. Secondly, I believe the last time I did ask a question on the IEP, it was in fact answered by Senator Carr. The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong believes the question is properly directed to her. It seems to me that Minister Wong should be the person to answer the question, so I call on Minister Wong.