Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 6 August 2012:

(1)   Given that the Australian Government has previously stated it ‘will further support, at home and abroad, global efforts to improve governance and financial transparency in the resources sector’ and as part of this support, the Government in 2011 announced it would undertake a pilot of the Global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, can an update be provided on the pilot.

(2)   Given that the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case known as Kiobel v Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., is considering whether a law of the United States of America (US) – the Alien Tort Statute – applies to corporate human rights abuses that have taken place in countries other than the US, will the Australian Government intervene by filing an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court of the United States; if so, what will be the Government’s position.

(3)   Has the Australian Government consulted with Australian businesses about this case and/or its position on this case.

(4)   Have Australian companies, individuals or other entities asked the Australian Government to intervene in this case.

(5)   Has the Australian Government consulted with any other stakeholders or outside groups, such as human rights organisations or those whose human rights have been affected by corporate operations, about intervening in this case or Australia’s position on this case.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Attorney-General has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1)   This question should be directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

(2)   No.

(3)   Yes.

(4)   One company indicated that it would welcome the submission of an amicus brief by the Government.

(5)   No.