Trent Zimmerman (North Sydney, 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 how the government is putting Australia's national interests first on matters of foreign policy and international security? Is the minister aware of any other approaches?

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

I thank the member for North Sydney for his question on a very serious issue. Australia's national interest is best achieved by working with our allies and partners to defend and strengthen the rules based order that has underpinned our national prosperity, security and stability for nigh on seven decades. And a key to ensuring that our national interest is served is clarity and consistency in our foreign policy—because this preserves the government's integrity when it comes to policymaking and decision-making. So when confronted by challenges such as the differing positions on the South China Sea our government is able to point to a clear, consistent policy decision. We enhance our relationships with all countries in the region no matter what our disagreements are, and that is because the government have integrity when it comes to our foreign policy positions—clarity, consistency and coherency.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of all members of the Labor Party. In fact, we now know that Senator Sam Dastyari's about-face on the South China Sea had a price tag attached to it.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Isaacs!

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

Indeed, a reported $400,000 was all it took for Senator Dastyari to trash Labor's official foreign policy position. We know the spectacle during the 2016 election when Labor's then defence spokesman Senator Conroy stood at the National Press Club and outlined Labor's official foreign policy on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, only to be publicly contradicted just hours later by the then Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate, Senator Sam Dastyari.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Griffith is warned. The member for Solomon is warned.

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

Members will recall how Senator Dastyari called a press conference at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in Sydney and stood there before the Australian flag, before a lectern with the Australian Commonwealth coat of arms, next to his Chinese benefactor, who also stood at a lectern with an Australian coat of arms, and he publicly contradicted Labor's official foreign policy, for a reported $400,000. What did the Leader of the Opposition do, in the face of the most extraordinary public admission of foreign interference and influence? He slapped him on the wrist, sent him to the backbench for a couple of months, and Senator Sam Dastyari is now back in a leadership position in the Labor Party. This Leader of the Opposition sold out our national interest. (Time expired)

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Members on both sides. The member for Griffith has been warned. The Leader of the House will cease interjecting. I say to the Leader of the House: some people have lost their voice with the cold going around.