James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government will support all efforts in the first committee of the UN General Assembly this October or November that will strengthen the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime and help advance effective and realistic measures towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. Australia's consistent, considered position on a ban treaty is well known. A ban treaty would be ineffective in eliminating nuclear weapons. Proceeding with a ban treaty without the participation of the states which possess nuclear weapons without due regard for the international security environment will not help create the conditions for major further reductions in nuclear arsenals. The government, whether Labor or coalition, deliberately and consistently deny leave in this regard. That is our position. A short speech is a good speech.