John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Siewert for her further supplementary question. I can certainly say, Senator, that the Australian government intends to continue to keep Indonesia closely informed of developments, including the implementation of the environmental monitoring plan. I can say to you that Australia will continue to act fully consistently with international law and our strong bilateral relationships in responding to this incident.

AMSA assesses that, based on the reports of surveillance aircraft during the response, the oil observed in Indonesia’s EEZ posed no significant threat to the marine environment. The reports of significant quantities of oil in Indonesian waters, I am informed, are not consistent with observations from surveillance aircraft throughout the incident, so I am not aware of a basis for a compensation claim. But what I will do is ask the relevant ministers, particularly Mr Ferguson and Mr Smith, if they can provide any more information on that point. (Time expired)