Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

That is a straight answer, Senator Hanson. It's very clear. The Australian parliament can legislate whatever if it wants. If the Australian parliament, however, does not legislate in terms that are consistent with the agreement, then the agreement will not come into force with Australia as a party to it. That is a straight answer. That is a simple fact there. Yes, the agreement is negotiated between different countries. If those countries can't live up to the terms of that agreement then they aren't a party to the agreement. That's the nature of the beast.

Of course, countries can seek through a mutual agreement with other nations to make variations to agreements over a period of time.

We don't believe that the agreement requires variation, and we certainly don't believe that the nation needs or deserves a Labor government. However, if the opposition were to win the next election and were to seek to negotiate with other parties in terms of reaching agreement by means of side letters or otherwise then that would be a matter for a new government and for those other nations.