Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

On the point of order, Mr President: one of the difficulties in asking for the answer to be directly relevant is the way that the question has been raised, so I would draw you to the question that was asked. First of all, it was framed in the negative—will you refuse to provide?—which makes it very difficult, and the rest then goes on so that it is effectively a loaded question. In fact, it begs the answer itself. When you then try to be directly relevant to that issue particularly, it is incorrect to actually try to do that. If the opposition are going to raise this issue they should raise it in such a way that you can at least identify the question and the answer. Can I also draw the opposition to the answer that has been given. It has been directly relevant, not only to the first sup but also dealing with the second sup.