Senator FAULKNER (Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) —by leave—I wish to make a short statement in relation to an answer to the supplementary question given by Senator Herron during question time today. I think the third question asked in question time today was a question directed to Senator Herron, the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, from Senator Bob Collins. After the primary question asked by Senator Collins was answered Senator Collins directed a supplementary question to Senator Herron. I believe that these are the words that Senator Herron used to begin his supplementary answer:

Why is Senator Collins so aggressive and abusive in his behaviour? Why does he bash his wife at night, Mr President? Why does he do these things, Mr President? I mean, its a pure example of his behaviour in this regard. I am happy to provide answers . . .

Because of interjections from the government side, I did not hear Senator Herron's words, but I consider that to be one of the most serious—

Senator Alston —It's taken you a long time to work up some indignation.

Senator FAULKNER —I consider that to be one of the most serious abrogations of ministerial responsibility that we have heard in this chamber.

Senator Alston —About three months to work up some outrage!

Senator FAULKNER —I will actually take the interjections from Senator Alston and say that the reason the opposition is responding now and has sought leave at the earliest opportunity after the conclusion of question time is because of constant interjections from government senators. It was not clear to senators on this side of the chamber what Senator Herron said. I do not believe that I am being unfair to Senator Herron by directly quoting what he has said.

I wish to point out that when this government came to office the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, gave solemn assurances about ministerial conduct. In fact, he produced a document called A guide on key elements of ministerial responsibility. Section 5, relating to ministerial conduct, says:

Ministers must be honest in their public dealings and should not intentionally mislead the Parliament or the public. Any misconception caused inadvertently should be corrected at the earliest opportunity.

That is the Howard bible on ministerial responsibility. What Senator Herron has done is not only contrary to those ministerial guidelines but it is also a clear and very serious breach of the standing orders of this chamber. On behalf of the opposition, I ask for a full and complete withdrawal of those comments and an unconditional apology to Senator Collins.

Senator Alston —On a point of order, Mr President, before we proceed any further with this little exercise, could I ask you to direct Senator Faulkner to turn his mind to whether, from now on, he is going to refrain from calling out across the chamber `You fool' and various other obscenities which are clearly designed to lower the whole tone of this place, to bring the Senate into disrepute and to completely and utterly undermine any attempt to raise the standards. Is that what you are on about? You want business as usual on your side but you expect us to somehow set you a much better example.

Senator Bob Collins —Perhaps I could use this opportunity to say that I have no doubt that the apology will be forthcoming. Knowing Senator Herron, I am sure he did not mean to say that. In response to what Senator Alston said, perhaps I could explain—

The PRESIDENT —Speak to the point of order.

Senator Bob Collins —I am speaking to the point of order. Senator Alston took a point of order on double standards and I just wanted to point out to Senator Alston, and to you, Mr President, why the example he gave pales into insignificance compared with what is now going to appear in Hansard —and I have had it transcribed from a tape. People like Senator Kernot, and others who have known me for years, know why we are doing this. I know what Senator Herron meant to say. He meant to use that old expression `When are you going to stop beating your wife?'

Senator Herron —Yes, that is right.

The PRESIDENT —You are straying from the point of order. I think you have made your point.

Senator Bob Collins —Then perhaps I could seek leave to simply make a statement.

The PRESIDENT —After we have dealt with the point of order. There is no point of order, although the general standards could rise on all sides, I must say.