Senator HOGG —My question is directed to Senator Hill, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Can the minister confirm that the government is making contingency preparations for the commitment of significant Australian Defence Force resources to East Timor? How can the Australian public be assured that the possible deployment of defence forces to this potentially explosive and difficult assignment will be properly undertaken, when the Howard government's Minister for Defence and its most senior Defence bureaucrat have not spoken directly for some weeks and have stated publicly that communications will be only through their respective lawyers? What does the farcical situation in which the Howard government finds itself mean for the proper operation of any East Timor deployment and the general state of ADF and departmental morale and confidence in the state of government command of the military?

Senator HILL (Environment and Heritage) —There are two subject matters within the question. One is a serious subject matter relating to any possible contingency plans for deployment of Australian forces in East Timor. The second question was really a bit of a political—

Opposition senators —Oh!

Senator HILL —I am surprised. This was a chance for Senator Hogg to make his mark for the frontbench position and to spoil it with a cheap shot towards the end in relation to Defence administration really was unnecessary. In relation to the first part of the question, it has been made clear that Australia is, as you would expect, looking at all—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator HILL —Senator Hogg wants you to be quiet so that he can hear the answer. You are asking your colleagues to remain quiet; I am just helping you, Senator. Contingency plans obviously would be made and have been spoken of in terms of a possible peacekeeping contribution in certain circumstances. Australia has been in constant dialogue with the United Nations, as the honourable senator would be aware. I do not believe that the government has made any announce ment beyond that fact at this stage and I do not think it would be appropriate to do so.

The government has been seeking to play its part in ensuring that a free and fair vote takes place in East Timor against the background of a stable security environment. From what I am aware of—and I would have thought the honourable senator would have been aware of—the contribution that Australia has been making to that has been very much appreciated by the people of East Timor. The matter is obviously a serious one and is being constantly reviewed. What is going to happen will really depend on the autonomy vote and the circumstances on the ground at that time. But you would expect the Australian government and the Defence Force to have prepared contingency plans, and obviously that is the case.

Senator HOGG —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. The minister failed to address parts two and three of the question I asked. Whilst the minister may have thought they were flippant, they are not and I would like an answer to them. In light of the Howard government's astounding admission that its botched attempt to sack the Secretary to the Department of Defence was based on irreconcilable differences between the secretary and his minister, John Moore, and their insistence on communicating through their lawyers, has the government contemplated referring the case to the Family Court rather than the Federal Court?

Senator HILL (Environment and Heritage) —Madam President—

Senator Abetz —Keep your daytime job, Senator Hogg.

Senator HILL —Yes, that is right. Fancy accusing me of being flippant in the answer. Madam President, the departure of the civilian head of the defence forces had no effect upon the capability of the Defence Force as such. To the extent that Senator Hogg is asking a serious question, he can put his mind at rest.