Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I am not able to confirm that, but it is clear that in the production of a white paper many people are consulted. I can confirm that consultation was widespread, and there would be nothing untoward about a white paper of this importance dealing with the Asian region and Australia's relationship with it acknowledging the continuing role in the Asia-Pacific of the United States. It is a factor: the United States is there, and all the nation states of Asia would have a view on that. There is a widespread view, for example, among the 10 nations of ASEAN that they emphatically want the United States to continue to have a role in the Asia-Pacific.