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

Madam Chair, doesn't the government concede that the humanitarian aims of the convention, which are clear in the preamble and article 1, could well be undermined by 72.41, notwithstanding what Senator Feeney has said in relation to clause 3 of article 21 which says, 'Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1'?

Can't that be read quite narrowly to relate to military cooperation with a party that has not signed the convention but is not using cluster munitions in a particular exercise? I will bring this to an end shortly, to the relief of Senator Feeney. Senator Feeney said something about 15 or 20 minutes ago about rules of engagement. That would be relevant, would it not? If you can deal with that issue, I want then to go to the issue of rules of engagement because that goes to the application of the defence and the application of this bill.