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

I thank Senator Coonan for the question. I am not aware of the article she refers to; I have not seen that particular article. But it is true that the Prime Minister has been keen to engage nations in the Asia-Pacific region in stronger ties and stronger joint activity in pursuit of our mutual interests. To that end he has had Mr Richard Woolcott AO, a former senior diplomat, lead a process by which he is engaged with those countries about the architecture, or potential new architecture, for enhancing that greater engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. As I understand it, that is a matter that is still in progress. No doubt it is a matter that the Prime Minister is also discussing at the various international forums with leaders of those nations. Senator Coonan, I thought you would support that—