George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I can emphatically reaffirm what Senator Payne told the chamber yesterday. The relationship between Australia and Japan is a very important relationship for us and for them. We are strategic partners. We have common interests. We are like-minded as democracies. We are important powers in the East Asian region. And both governments, the Japanese government and the Australian government, are committed to a rules based global order. That is not to say, however, that from time to time friendly and like-minded governments which share a commitment to a rules based global order will not have differences. We do have a difference with the Japanese government about whaling. We point out to the Japanese government firmly but civilly the position of the Australian government. We contest the Japanese government's position in international tribunals including the International Court of Justice and the International Whaling Commission. (Time expired)