Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I am grateful to Senator Feeney for his response. Even a five per cent figure—even a one per cent figure—is very concerning, because the very nature of cluster munitions is that one cluster munition can spread to hundreds of submunitions, with the damage that that can inflict. Given that the failure rate can be up to 30 per cent, which is quite staggering and quite frightening when you consider the terrifying impact that it has, can Senator Feeney advise to what extent he is satisfied, or the government is satisfied, that the United States position that the failure rate will go from five per cent, as referred to by the United States, to one per cent will be achieved. How will that be achieved? It is only six years away. Is that something that the Australian government has been briefed on? If so, is the Australian government satisfied that that one per cent target, which many would find still staggering, will be achieved? How can that be achieved in the six-year period?