Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister advise the House on the importance of strengthening international relationships in support of our national interest? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches that would threaten our national interest?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Hughes for his question and acknowledge his ongoing interest in foreign policy and defence matters. The Australian government is strengthening our bilateral relationships to boost our national security and deliver economic outcomes that benefit Australians—in other words, keeping Australians safe and providing job opportunities for Australians. Our free trade deals with China, Japan and South Korea have enabled Australians to export their goods and services to new and dynamic markets. We have enhanced our security ties and increased intelligence sharing in our region to keep Australians safe.

Relationships matter. And an important way to build these stronger relationships is in the exchange of young people. Under reciprocal arrangements with more than 30 other nations, tens of thousands of young Australians undertake working holidays in other countries each year, while we welcome tens of thousands of young people from Europe, North and South America and Asia on working holidays here. It is reciprocal.

The contrast with Labor is stark, and their hypocrisy is profound. The opposition leader attacks overseas workers, despite approving record numbers while he was the relevant minister. I have to say: the opposition leader's inflammatory words demonising foreigners who work in Australia risks damaging those reciprocal working-holiday arrangements which have built goodwill among nations and millions of young people from around the world, and it is in our interest to have these young workers here—particularly to fill some labour-force requirements in some sectors. But, oh! The opposition leader has form on the hypocrisy front. Remember when the opposition leader called for greater engagement in Asia, and then insulted Japan, a key strategic partner, by invoking past military aggression?

That was an attack that even Troy Bramston, a former Labor adviser, described as racist rhetoric.

Mr Champion interjecting —

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield is warned.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And then remember when the opposition leader supported that disgraceful, xenophobic campaign by the CFMEU against the China free trade agreement, insulting China and opposing jobs for Australians just to curry favour with union thugs. This reckless opposition leader talks of the importance of the US alliance and then describes the incoming president as 'barking mad' just so he can curry favour with the Greens.

Mark Latham—remember him? The man Labor wanted as Prime Minister put it well when he said that the opposition leader was:

… an opportunist, someone with a shameless record of using people and political issues to satisfy his personal ambitions.

I could not put it any better.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, you couldn't, unless someone else—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Sydney!