Senator JOHNSTON (Western Australia—Minister for Defence) (14:50): I find this question quite curious, given that during my time as shadow spokesman, in opposition, I asked for briefings on a whole host of matters and received virtually none. The portfolio was hideously politicised by the previous, Labor government— Senator Moore: Mr President, on a point of order: again, it is specifically a question about a Liberal Party banner being used on a base—if we could have that drawn to the attention of the minister. The PRESIDENT: The minister needs to address the question. The minister has 33 seconds remaining. Senator JOHNSTON: And so it was that, in travelling around bases when in opposition, it was very apparent to me that there was a clear need for some semblance of a defence policy. Now, the fact is that whether or not— Senator Wong: On a point of order, Mr President: on a number of occasions now we have drawn your attention to direct relevance. The minister has been asked about the use of a Liberal Party banner on a Defence base. He has been asked for detail about who authorised it and for detail about whether or not he will take action, as minister, to ensure it will not happen again. He has not once come close to the question on this important issue. You should draw his attention to the question and he should be directly relevant. The PRESIDENT: As I have said, I cannot tell the minister how to answer the question. I did draw the minister's attention to the question at the 33-second mark. The minister still has nine seconds remaining and I remind him of the question. Senator JOHNSTON: All I want to say in completion of my answer to that supplementary question is that there is one party in this chamber committed to the Department of Defence and the defence of Australia.