Andrew Bartlett (Queensland, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Evans. I refer to the announcement by the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Japan proposing to establish an international commission on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, to be co-chaired by former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans. Can the minister indicate whether any money has been allocated for the functioning of the commission and whether the commission will consist of a properly staffed secretariat? Does the comment in the joint statement of the Japanese and Australian Prime Ministers that ‘the Japanese side welcomed the idea’ indicate that the Japanese have formally agreed to participate in the commission? What other counties have been approached and have agreed to participate in the commission and in what capacity? Can the minister provide a formal terms of reference or any other job description, if you like, that has been developed for the commission, beyond the few sentences contained in the Prime Minister’s original statement?