Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks very much, Senator Whish-Wilson. Yes, I was aware that an extremely important meeting was taking place between the Japanese minister and three Australian ministers. And that is entirely appropriate; we have a deep and longstanding partnership, as energy exporters to them, with the nation of Japan. It's a really valuable partnership for Australia. Incidentally, it's by that well-practised pathway over many years in that business and diplomatic relationship which, potentially, lays the foundation for some of the emerging industries that may prove very important for Australia and for the globe—particularly in relation to the production of hydrogen and its derivatives. So, yes, of course we pay attention to and invest in the relationship with Japan. I'm not aware of all the details that were discussed in that meeting between those ministers, but I am pleased that the outcome of those discussions was positive. Of course it's an important relationship and of course this government will invest time in it.

You're going back again now for, I think, the eighth—or possibly the ninth—time to the question of motivation for the bill. I have laid it out so very clearly that I'm not sure whether it really assists the Senate for me to go over it again.