Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the minister for Foreign affairs and trade—whoever that currently is. I refer to rising tensions over the threat of a military attack by the United States or Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities, originally built with the assistance of the United States and European nations, including France and Germany, and more recently through assistance by the Russian government. What is the Australian government's position on a military strike by the United States or Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is—

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're not representing foreign affairs? You've got to be kidding!

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have been all along. I have been since whenever the last reshuffle was.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're kidding!

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's true!

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, ignore the interjections. Those interjections are disorderly. Senator Conroy, address the chair, and the chair only.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is deeply concerned about the nature of Iran's nuclear program. Iran continues to defy the international community on its obligations. Iran must take urgent steps to restore international confidence by complying with UN Security Council resolutions and by cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Australia is deeply concerned that the November IAEA report reinforces indications that Iran may still be undertaking nuclear weapons related activities. Australia cosponsored the 18 November 2011 Board of Governors resolution expressing deep and increasing concern at these developments and calling on Iran—

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order which goes directly to relevance. I recognise that the minister is just reading by rote from a brief. Could he fast forward to where it addresses my question—if it does—which went to the Australian government's position on a military strike, not our position on the Iranian nuclear program. What is the Australian government's position on a military strike by the US government or Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities?

Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is directly relevant and is outlining Australia's position on this issue. He should be allowed to continue the answer.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has one minute and two seconds remaining. There is no point of order.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, for those parts that are relevant: we fully support the EU embargo on Iranian oil and the other new measures, and are considering how to implement comparable measures in Australia. Australia does not currently import any Iranian oil. Australia's trade with Iran has declined steeply and Australia remains committed to seeking a resolution of the Iran nuclear issues through negotiation. We urge Iran to follow through on its readiness to restart talks with the P5 plus 1. As others in the chamber have noted, I am not sure that the rest of the question was not drawn around the hypothetical suggestion, but, if there is any other information I can get from the minister's office, I will provide that on notice.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question that is not hypothetical at all. What, if any, representations has the Australian government made either through bilateral contact with the US, or Israel, or through multilateral channels on the potential for a military strike on these facilities? That is what my question is about.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a fairly detailed question. As I am sure you would understand, I do not have all the information on it. I am happy to seek whatever information is available for that question, Senator Ludlam, and provide it on notice.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a fairly simple question. There was not a great deal of detail to the question. Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I note that Australia, as the minister mentioned, has joined in sanctions banning Iranian oil imports from January. The foreign minister at that time indicated that Australia's exports to Iran have been reduced. Given that Australia sells uranium to Russia, which is the key strategic enabler of the Iranian government's nuclear program, whether it be civil or military, what is Australia doing to ensure that Australian uranium does not end up in Iran?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is considering how it can support the measures that were introduced, as you mentioned in your question and I mentioned earlier. We do not currently import any Iranian oil and our trade with Iran has declined steeply from about $1 billion in the late 1990s to under $300 million now. As to any plans that we have on the matter you raised, I am happy to seek some further information from the minister's office and see if there is anything to be added.