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

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. The minister would have seen recent reporting about the fact that sections of the Asian white paper were rewritten by Professor Allan Gyngell, formerly of the ONA, partly in order to amplify sections of the report on the continuing role of the United States in the region as it expands its military presence. Can the minister confirm that the white paper was redrafted in this fashion and, if so, why?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not able to confirm that, but it is clear that in the production of a white paper many people are consulted. I can confirm that consultation was widespread, and there would be nothing untoward about a white paper of this importance dealing with the Asian region and Australia's relationship with it acknowledging the continuing role in the Asia-Pacific of the United States. It is a factor: the United States is there, and all the nation states of Asia would have a view on that. There is a widespread view, for example, among the 10 nations of ASEAN that they emphatically want the United States to continue to have a role in the Asia-Pacific.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You were asked about the report. Take it on notice. Don't waffle.

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am elaborating on the question. The consultation was widespread, and it was Senator Ludlam himself who raised the question of the role of the United States in the Asia-Pacific. I am saying that any white paper that charts Australia's future in Asia would have to acknowledge the presence there of the United States and that, overwhelmingly, the nations of the region want a United States presence. This is particularly marked when you consider the views of ASEAN. In recent weeks we have had visits here from Singapore's defence, foreign and trade ministers, from Myanmar's foreign minister, from the President of the Philippines and the foreign minister— (Time expired)

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

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister for his evasive answer, and I will take from it a tentative yes. Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that this happened at all undermines the effectiveness of the very welcome strategy of engaging with our Asian neighbours if we are seen simply as the regional deputy sheriff of the United States?

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I bet you're not game to say, 'Beam me up, Scotty!'

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

Ignore the interjections in question time, as I said earlier to other people, and just answer the question.

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thought it might have been entertaining, but I did not understand it. Under this government no-one would use such a foolish expression as 'deputy sheriff'. In fact, the former Prime Minister—

Senator Brandis interjecting—

your great friend John Howard had a view on a US presidential election. John Howard famously said that a victory for Barack Obama would be a victory for Osama bin Laden. The ultimate irony is that it took President Obama to execute Osama bin Laden. Don't talk to me about ill-advised comments by Australian governments.

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

Mr President, I rise on a point of order on relevance. While the minister is waxing lyrical about extrajudicial killings I wonder whether he might draw his answer to the question that I put to him.

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

The minister has 11 seconds remaining. I draw the minister's attention to the question.

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the families of the victims of September 11 and the families of the victims of Bali would have a view about the suitability of so-called extrajudicial killings. (Time expired)

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

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I will try to draw us back to the topic of the question. Has the government assessed the impact on Australia's perceived place in the region of basing United States marine corps as well as naval and air force elements on Australian soil?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I mentioned earlier Singapore's engagement with us, and the recent visit by the three ministers in the Singapore government. They have a US naval deployment in Singapore. I know of no governments in the Asian region, apart from China, which have expressed concern about a rotating marine presence in Northern Australia. As regards China, just as we do not object to China's military modernisation while at the same time asking the Chinese to be explicit about its purpose, scale and direction, no-one could raise an objection to Australia attending to its security concerns by nurturing a treaty relationship that goes back a very long time—not just 50 years to the ANZUS treaty but 50 years earlier than that, when the Deakin government expressed an interest in American involvement in the Asia-Pacific.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister please outline to the Senate the opportunities for Australian agriculture and Australian farmers in Asia after the release yesterday of the Asian Century white paper?

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

I thank Senator Polley for her continued interest not only in agriculture but also in where the future for agricultural products can be. Yesterday the Prime Minister released the Australia in the Asian Century white paper. It is a roadmap showing how Australia can play a significant part in the Asian century. It is an ambitious plan for decades ahead, because in Australia there are many opportunities for Australian agriculture and our farmers. Asia is where the middle class is growing. The numbers are very large, but in the next two decades Asia is projected to grow significantly to 3.2 billion people.

Asia is where by 2025 half of the world's economic growth will be concentrated. Asia is where the population has a changing preference, seeking higher-protein foods such as beef, wheat and dairy—high-value products that are produced by our agricultural sector. Australia is in the right place at the right time. But it is not enough to rely on this. Our future will be determined by the choices we make. The food plan coupled with the Asian century white paper will drive government and industry action to position Australia as a food leader in the region. That is why the Gillard government is developing Australia's first-ever national food plan to support the work that is being done. Australia has a natural advantage. Asia wants a significant amount of produce from this country, and we need to be well placed to provide those preferences.

In the past decade we have seen a shift in the export share from Europe to Asia. Asian now receives between 55 and 60 per cent of Australia's agrifood exports. Based on the value of agricultural exports, Asia accounts for over 70 per cent of our beef exports, sugar exports and dairy exports. The past decade has seen a shift in the export share. (Time expired)

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a supplementary question. Can the minister please update the Senate on action the Gillard government is taking to support Australian agriculture in Asia now as we prepare for the Asian century?

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

I thank Senator Polley for her supplementary question. The Gillard government is taking action now to position Australia's agriculture for the Asian century. Much of the work is underway. The national food plan will elevate food policy within government and across the supply chain. Rural R&D funding of $1.1 billion has been provided since we came to office, and we are reforming our world-class biosecurity system.

Today I can announce the Australian government will deploy a minister-counsellor (agriculture) to Jakarta in early 2013. This is in recognition of our focus on the Asian century and the increasing importance of our relationship with Indonesia. The minister-counsellor (agriculture) will be responsible for managing the department's food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry interests in Indonesia. The position will be in addition to the counsellor (agriculture) position already in Jakarta. It will focus on new and emerging issues including horticultural exports, meat exports— (Time expired)

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. Can the minister please update the Senate on the importance of the Australian government's ongoing engagement with Asia now and into the future?

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

The Gillard Labor government is showing the leadership required to ensure Australia is ready for the Asian century. We are acting now to set Australia up for the future. The next steps we take will ensure an increasing participation in Asian markets. Future policies and programs will be Asian focused. We will also ensure agriculture growth is sustainable by making efficient use of our soil, water and energy. We will tap into the opportunities in northern Australia and in Tasmania. We will engage even more with our closest neighbours in Indonesia and work with emerging markets such as Thailand and Vietnam.

We know we have to invest in science and innovation to boost productivity right across Australia. We need to continue to improve farming techniques. As well as producing higher yields, we need to improve our irrigation system and plan better logistics and infrastructure. The white paper showcases the opportunities for Australia to benefit in the Asian century. (Time expired)