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

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs upon notice on 9 August 2012:

(1) Will the Government honour the verbal undertakings that facilitated United Nations (UN) member states agreement by consensus to the 'Cocos' association with Australia', the outcome of the UN supervised act of self-determination.

(2) What standing in international law does the Government accord to verbal undertakings made by ambassadors and permanent representatives at the UN when those undertakings produce results sought in Australia's national interest.

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

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) The Australian Government's publicly stated position at the time of the Cocos' association with Australia was that it had no intention of making the Cocos Islands a military base. The Australian Government continues to honour that undertaking.

(2) A verbal undertaking made by a Permanent Representative at the United Nations does not establish rights or obligations at international law.