Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Minchin for the question, but I am not sure he meant it all that seriously. Clearly the government values our relationship with Japan highly. They are a very significant trade partner and a very significant partner in our defence arrangements. They will continue to be central to our foreign policy into the future.

The Prime Minister is travelling overseas during the parliamentary break, visiting a number of countries to pursue Australia’s national interest. On the one hand, critics from the other side want to suggest he is travelling too much by undertaking such a journey, and now we hear that somehow it is a snub to Japan because he is not going there. I do not think that is right at all. I think the Prime Minister has organised his travel on this occasion to pursue Australia’s national interests. He will pursue those very competently: as all Australians would be aware, the Prime Minister has a unparalleled background in foreign affairs, having served as opposition spokesman and previously as a member of Australia’s foreign service. There is no snub to Japan by him taking on this particular itinerary. He has made Australia’s commitment to the Japanese relationship very clear on a number of occasions and that will continue. I am sure at some stage on a future visit the Prime Minister will visit Japan.