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

While I once served in the office of former Premier Richard Court—now His Excellency the Australian Ambassador to Japan, and he's doing an outstanding job there, too—let me just say that I represent the Prime Minister in this chamber, and not a former Premier of the great state of Western Australia. I note the comments that Senator Roberts has provided, but let me also refer the chamber to my first answer, and that is that Australia, as a middle power, does take its international responsibilities seriously, and we are an active and constructive participant in all of the relevant international fora, always pursuing Australia's national interest. We are always pursuing and advancing Australia's national interest. Of course, we are represented with distinction by our outstanding foreign minister, Senator Payne, who does a great job on our behalf. We are represented by fine public servants— (Time expired)