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

I thank Senator Lambie for her question. As colleagues would know, China and Australia have a deep and longstanding relationship which is underpinned by the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between our two nations. We have the highest levels of engagement and respect within the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and its key platforms. The senator has made observations in relation to the differences that exist between us. These are differences which we endeavour to manage with respect, acknowledging that we are very different systems. We are very different culturally and politically, and we have—as we all realise, being elected to a democratic parliament—very different approaches to a number of key areas of governance. That said, though, I think it would be remiss of me not to also acknowledge the depth of the strength of the Chinese-Australian diaspora, for example, in this country, which brings enormous richness and support to our nation and goes back over at least a century. Those of us who are heavily engaged in this area in strategic terms work very closely, but we make our differences clear in a respectful and appropriate way. I appreciate the concerns that Senator Lambie has raised, but they do not lead to the conclusion, on my part, that she has drawn.