Senator CASH (Western Australia—Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women) (15:00): I thank Senator Sterle, a fellow senator from Western Australia, for this question. On 7 September this year, the Australian people voted overwhelmingly for the election of an Abbott government. They voted overwhelmingly in relation to a number of policies and one of those policies was the failure of the then— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When there is silence on both sides, Senator Cash, continue. Senator CASH: As I stated: the Australian public voted overwhelmingly on a number of policies, but in particular they sent a very clear message to those who now sit on the opposition benches that they had failed when it came to protecting Australia's borders. The Australian people therefore gave the Abbott government a very clear mandate when it came— Senator Sterle: Mr President, I rise on a point of order: the minister has not even gone anywhere near my question. What I asked was: can she confirm there was an arrival of asylum seekers on a boat in Darwin Harbour Monday evening? The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has been addressing the question for 54 seconds. The minister still has a minute and six seconds remaining. I am listening closely to the minister's answer. The minister needs to address the question. I call the minister to answer the question. Senator CASH: In relation to the mandate that the Australian government has now been given, it is to implement our policies—our strong and proven policies—in relation to border protection. And in that regard—in relation to Operation Sovereign Borders—both the minister and the Prime Minister have made it very, very clear that, to this end, we will be conducting weekly briefings in relation to Operation Sovereign Borders. Unlike those on the other side— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When there is silence we will proceed. Senator CASH: Unlike those on the other side, as evidenced by their complete failure in this policy area, we understand that the more information in relation to operational matters that you provide to the people smugglers— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Wait a minute, Senator Conroy. You have not got the call, and you have colleagues who are trying to call over you. It does not help. Senator Conroy: Mr President, I rise on a point of order going to relevance. It is absolutely contemptuous of this chamber to hide behind the defence that they are not going to admit whether or not a boat arrived in the harbour on the basis of operational matters. It is a contempt and it cannot be allowed to stand as an excuse for not answering a question to the chamber and to the people of Australia who are demanding to know, 'What is that large piece of wood in Darwin Harbour?' The PRESIDENT: Order! I am listening to the minister's answer. The minister is addressing the question but I cannot instruct the minister how to give a particular answer and I have said that consistently in this chamber over a long period of time. Senator CASH: Unlike those on the other side, this government understands that it is our role as a federal government to make the job of people smugglers a lot harder and not sell out Australia to people smugglers. In that regard, the next briefing in relation to the status update will be provided on Friday, consistent with— (Time expired)