Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, when a question has a substantial preface—in this case, not loaded but mainly for assertions of fact—the minister is entitled to address those facts in his answer. Shorter questions narrow the definition of direct relevance. The minister is being directly relevant. I cannot instruct him which part of the question to answer nor how to answer the question as long as he remains relevant. Senator Colbeck, you have seven seconds remaining.