Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Let me just say right upfront that I was at the Lowy Institute speech by the Prime Minister. It was a great speech, and I would invite all colleagues to read it in its full context.

What I would also say, by way of a second point, is that Australia is the world's 13th largest economy, and we do take our international responsibilities very seriously. But that doesn't mean that, from time to time, we don't express a view about things that could be improved when it comes to the international architecture that we operate in. From time to time, it needs updating. Indeed, we have expressed the view in relation to our multilateral trading infrastructure that there are some improvements that could and should be made, and that is something that we are articulating forcefully in the appropriate forum.

You've also mentioned Richard Court. Senator Dean Smith and I both had the privilege to serve in the office of the outstanding and distinguished former Western Australian Premier Richard Court. That was a very memorable period. Richard Court did a lot of great things for the great state of Western Australia, so I'm pleased you're aware of all contributions he's made over the years.

Let me conclude: I would encourage every senator in this chamber and, indeed, all Australians to read precisely what the Prime Minister said in his speech at the Lowy Institute. There's a lot of verballing going on, in particular by the Labor Party, and selective quoting, as Senator Payne quite rightly points out. We are absolutely committed to doing the right thing internationally, and we take our international responsibilities very seriously indeed.