Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) ASNO has commenced negotiations on an agreement to amend (or supplement) Annex D of the Australia/China nuclear transfers agreement, to facilitate BHP Billiton's plan to export copper concentrates to China. The amendment would be designed to ensure any uranium extracted from copper concentrates would be subject to provisions of the Australia/China nuclear transfers agreement.

(2) The one and only negotiation was held in Beijing in January 2009.

(3) No. The Government's view is that linking human rights to trade issues is counter-productive. Liu Xiabo's case was raised in the 13th Australia-China Human Rights Dialogue held in Beijing on 20 December 2010.

(4) The Government's view is that linking human rights to trade issues is counter-productive.

(5) Refer to response to question 4.

(6) The Government's view is that linking human rights to trade issues is counter-productive. Sun Xiaodi and Sun Dunbai's cases were submitted as cases of concern for the 13th Australia-China Human Rights Dialogue held in Beijing on 20 December 2010.

(7) (a) The Australia-China nuclear transfers agreement is not affected by BHP Billiton's production volumes.

(b) Any increases in transport by rail would be carried out in accordance with existing regulatory requirements.

(c) This is a matter for China and the commercial entities involved to consider.

(d) This is a matter for China and the commercial entities involved to consider.

(e) This is a matter for China and the commercial entities involved to consider.

(f) This is a matter for China to manage under its domestic laws and arrangements and the commercial entities involved.

(g) Australia would be exporting copper concentrates, not waste.

(h) Australia would be exporting copper concentrates, not waste. Uranium extracted from the copper concentrate would be classified as AONM and would be covered by the Australia-China nuclear transfers agreement.