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

I thank Senator Wong for her question. As the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate would appreciate, this is a very fast evolving and very dangerous situation. Both the Prime Minister and I have made it very clear in our statements that the Turkish military action has grave consequences for regional security. Amongst other things, it will significantly undermine the gains that have been made by the international coalition in our fight against Daesh and, without question, Daesh continues to be a serious threat to regional peace and security, despite its territorial defeat. It will certainly cause additional civilian suffering, it will lead to greater population displacement and it will further inhibit the access of international organisations to those who are in need of international humanitarian support.

The shadow minister also asked a question in relation to Australia's engagement. Before the incursion actually commenced and as a clear response to the announcements being made by Turkey, I issued a statement on 8 October urging restraint by all parties to the conflict in Syria and calling for all involved to avoid escalatory actions and opportunistic actions that would cause further instability and add to humanitarian suffering. I directed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to make Australia's views plain to the Turkish ambassador in Canberra and in Ankara. Last week, the Prime Minister spoke to French President Macron and, on the weekend, the Prime Minister and I both spoke with US Secretary of State Pompeo to discuss the situation with Turkey and in Syria. Yesterday, I spoke to my counterpart, the Turkish foreign minister, in a detailed and wide-ranging telephone discussion, repeating Australia's concerns, urging restraint and indicating the severe impact that this would have on the regional security situation and the security situation more broadly.