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

That brings us to a specific issue, to see how this works in practice. Has the Australian government made any representations to the federal government of Malaysia in relation to the many allegations of gross endemic corruption and violence involving the state government of Sarawak? There is a perception that the government of Australia may feel constrained in representations that it makes, in part by virtue of the free trade agreement. It also—and this is an issue that has been raised—may feel constrained to raise these uncomfortable matters with the federal government of Malaysia as a result of the so-called 'people-swap deal' on which this government has had numerous negotiations.

What is occurring in Sarawak is of grave concern. I have spoken to Clare Rewcastle Brown and she has expressed those concerns in the strongest possible terms. Have any representations been made to the government of Malaysia given our close relationship and friendship with the people of Malaysia? There are concerns that in the context of illegal logging there may be gross and systemic corruption at a state government level—has that ever been raised with the government of Malaysia?