Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian govern­ment communicated with the Indonesian government following the Four Corners footage. Ministers in this government also communicated with their counterparts before the order was announced. I contacted the Indonesian agriculture minister, Mr Suswono, on 7 June. In addition, Ministers Rudd and Emerson contacted their counterparts in relation to ensuring that the animal welfare outcomes of our live animal exports are communicated to our trading partners.

Indonesia is one of our closest partners. It is a relationship of tremendous importance to Australia and this government. The Australian government remains committed to working constructively and cooperatively with Indonesia on this issue. We are doing just that as we speak. DAFF and DFAT officials have been in close contact with the Indonesian ambassador. (Time expired)