Senator FIFIELD (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Social Services) (14:55): I think it was a very cynical thing that the previous government did by signing off on literally hundreds and hundreds of supposed grants after the election had been called— Senator Kim Carr: Before the caretaker period! Senator FIFIELD: While the caretaker period might formally start— Senator Conroy: Formally start? Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Fifield, resume your seat. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on both sides! Senator Fifield is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator FIFIELD: While the caretaker period might formally start at the end of the day, it is very much within the spirit of the caretaker conventions that once an election has been called— Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on relevance. The specific question relates to issues around funding to the Welcome Centre in Adelaide and the teaching of English to migrants. The minister has 28 seconds. The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order at this stage. The minister does have 28 seconds remaining to address the question. Senator FIFIELD: I am strongly of the view that the previous government were acting outside the spirit of the caretaker conventions as received in this country and that what they did in signing off on those particular supposed grants at that time was a cynical political exercise. They should apologise to those community organisations. Senator Moore: Mr President, I again rise on a point of order on relevance. We now have very limited time left, but the minister should return to the specific question. The PRESIDENT: I do draw the minister's attention to the question. You have six seconds remaining. Senator FIFIELD: I would recommend that organisations contact the Department of Social Services, and the process will be explained to them.