Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Can the minister update the Senate on how Australia is working with other nations to address the threat from North Korea?

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

I thank Senator Hume for her question. Mr President, Australia supports the unanimous decision by the United Nations Security Council this morning to impose further sanctions on North Korea, following their claimed test of a hydrogen bomb earlier this month, with the adoption of UNSC resolution 2375. These are the types of sanctions imposed on the regime to date. Among the sanctions imposed, the resolution cuts off over 55 per cent of gas supplies, diesel and heavy fuel oil going to the regime. It completely bans natural gas and other oil by-products that could be used as substitutes. Today's resolution also bans all textile exports, which follows on from resolutions banning both coal and iron exports. There are also bans on the regime from making money from North Koreans working overseas and asset freezes on the most central North Korean regime entities.

These measures will make it far more difficult for the regime to be able to fuel and to finance its illegal ballistic and nuclear weapons program. However, it is our view, as we have stated, Mr President, that the sanctions won't be completely effective unless all nations implement them with absolute resolve. As I said in my remarks to the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea last Thursday, we can't let North Korea's brinkmanship succeed. Australia will continue to encourage other nations to join in collective action to the fullest extent possible against North Korea's renewed threats of offensive action.

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

Senator Hume, a supplementary question?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for her answer. Can the minister also advise the Senate on how else Australia is working to address North Korea's illegal ballistic and nuclear programs?

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

As the Senate may be aware, as well as fully supporting the United Nations Security Council sanctions themselves, Australia is also imposing our own autonomous sanctions program. We are applying targeted financial sanctions and travel bans. Australia has so far designated 37 entities and 31 individuals based in a number of countries, which are directly linked to Pyongyang's illegal ballistic and nuclear programs. We continue, of course, to rely on intelligence as it comes to light to refine and to extend our autonomous sanctions regime.

We also continue to work closely with our ASEAN partners, the United States, the Republic of Korea and China to uphold the rules based, international order, which underpins global peace and stability. Australia's defence engagement, our long-term exercises and combined operations with Japan, South Korea and the United States won't be eroded in this process. We will continue to strengthen our defence ties with other nations, directly or indirectly threatened by North Korea. (Time expired)

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

Senator Hume, a final supplementary question.

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister further advise the Senate on how Australia is working with partners and allies to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction?

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

Indeed I can. North Korea's ongoing ballistic missile and nuclear weapons test only serve to reinforce the need to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Last week, Australia hosted Exercise Pacific Protector 2017 as part of an ongoing major international commitment to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials. The Proliferation Security Initiative helps partner nations to build networks, tools and capabilities to counter illicit WMD-related trade across the globe.

Over 20 PSI nations from across the world participated in Exercise Pacific Protector 2017. These are exercises which send a clear signal to all proliferators that their activities are being monitored and that PSI participants are prepared to take action to stop them by enforcing national and international law. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a grave threat to regional and global security, and Australia is committed to working with like-minded nations to prevent their spread. (Time expired)