Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Can the minister advise the Senate how Australia is working with like-minded nations to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McKenzie for her question. It's true to say that Australia and our neighbours have benefited enormously from the ongoing peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, which has enabled trade and prosperity to flourish across the region over the past 75 years. However, that stability is gravely threatened by the reckless actions of the North Korean regime, as I said last week, which continues to disregard multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at always maintaining global peace. By the development and illegal testing of its weapon and missile programs, North Korea has deliberately decided to become a destabilising and disruptive influence in the region.

The outbreak of conflict, of war, on the Korean peninsula would have catastrophic consequences, including for North Korea. That's why it's important that we continue to pursue collective action to prevent North Korea from continuing on its dangerous path. The best prospect for a peaceful and enduring solution of this problem is for North Korea to comply with UN resolutions and dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile program.

Australia is committed to maintaining regional stability. We're working within the United Nations framework of sanctions, advocacy and collective action to encourage the North Korean regime to comply with the rules based global order and coexist with other nations. We are working with our allies and partners to determine the most appropriate defensive countermeasures, including using diplomatic means to constrain and deter North Korea's illegal weapons development activities. Australia will continue to implement sanctions, including autonomous sanctions, aimed at restricting North Korea's ability to carry out its threats. Whatever North Korea's objectives, threats of missile strikes against other nations are unacceptable, and Australia condemns this behaviour without reservation. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, a supplementary question.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister advise the Senate how Australia's alliance with the United States improves regional stability?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A foundation of regional stability is dependable and reliable security frameworks. It's the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ANZUS treaty. The US has been a stabilising influence in the Pacific since 1945. The US-Australia alliance is our most important strategic defence relationship. It's central to our security and strategic arrangements. It's an alliance that is underpinned by the deepest levels of cooperation between our two nations, and it's been strengthened by consecutive governments over the past 75 years. It has historically recognised that an armed attack on Australia or the United States would be dangerous to both countries, and it obliges each country to consult if the security of the parties is threatened and to act to meet common danger in the event of an armed attack in the Pacific. We are committed to strengthening regional security frameworks to ensure that stability and prosperity is maintained. (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, a final supplementary question.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister outline how Australia is contributing to regional stability?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is committed to those economic and diplomatic sanctions and regional security matters wherever possible, as I have previously identified. As I have said, Australia is committed to strengthening those regional frameworks so that we and our regional partners can work cooperatively to resolve shared challenges and to address common threats. We also outlined in the 2016Defence white paper increasing our international defence engagement to enhance practical cooperation and strengthen our strategic partnerships. By working closely with our partners and allies, we mitigate the risks produced by an increasingly complex strategic environment.

North Korea represents one of those grave challenges. Australia is committed to implementing the United Nations resolutions against North Korea, which were unanimously adopted, demonstrating unqualified international unity and resolve. It's only through unified and collective action that Australia and our regional partners and allies can address the shared challenges that undermine peace and stability in our region now and in the future. (Time expired)

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

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.