Senator JOYCE (Queensland—Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) (14:25): My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the fact that Australia's gross debt currently stands at $272.8 billion, just $27 billion shy— Government members interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Joyce, you are entitled to be heard in silence. Senator JOYCE: just $27 billion shy of our $300 billion debt ceiling, which was increased to that amount last year. Given that the government has foreshadowed more deficit in tonight's budget and that the government continues to borrow in off-budget spending, including for the National Broadband Network and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation— Senator Conroy interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Order! Senator Joyce, I have called order. Wait a minute, Senator Brandis. Order! Senator Brandis: Mr President, on a point of order: throughout this question the minister to whom it is directed, Senator Conroy, has been braying across the chamber at the questioner. That is not in order and you ought to bring him to order. The PRESIDENT: The question was directed to Senator Wong; it was not directed to Senator Conroy. I have already called to order those interjecting across the chamber, one of whom was Senator Conroy, but there were others. Opposition members interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! The Senator is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator JOYCE: Thank you, Mr President, I can understand their sensitivity about the debt— The PRESIDENT: No; do not debate it—just ask the question. Senator JOYCE: Will the government increase the debt limit for the fourth time in four years in tonight's budget? There is that debt limit and we are getting up there. We are almost about to go through it. The PRESIDENT: That is out of order. Order! There have been two instances in the chamber—order! Senator Ian Macdonald: You are not being balanced. The PRESIDENT: If you wait and listen to what I have got to say—a bit of courtesy would be nice, indeed. That is the second instance today where people have held things up in this chamber. They know they are out of order. It is not proper to display that material. Order! Senator Faulkner: Are you saying that he is unbalanced? Those are your words. Get up on your feet and say so. The PRESIDENT: Order! On both sides. Senators down the back, shouting across the chamber does not assist during question time. Order! Both of you, it does not assist question time.