Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bernardi for his question. Australia makes a very significant contribution to security and to development assistance in Afghanistan and has done over many years now. In fact, a significant number of Australians have paid for our support for counterterrorism efforts and freedom in Afghanistan with their lives. The issues that Senator Bernardi raises in relation to integrity, transparency and accountability in terms of the delivery of development assistance are, of course, very important ones. They are ones that we take seriously in the administration of our own contributions. I will take the detail of Senator Bernardi's question on notice in relation to specific aspects of the report that he has raised and return to the chamber with further information.