Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Can the minister confirm that Prime Minister Morrison has overturned longstanding bipartisan foreign policy without proper consideration and decision by the cabinet, against the longstanding advice of government agencies and without properly consulting Australia's friends and allies?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government made its decisions in relation to the process that the Prime Minister announced today through all the appropriate decision-making processes of government.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cameron, a supplementary question.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leaked messages reveal that, after being told of Prime Minister Morrison's intention to overturn longstanding bipartisan foreign policy, the Indonesian foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, asked Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne: 'Is it really necessary to do this on Tuesday?' Why was the Prime Minister in such a rush that he made the announcement on Tuesday despite the pleas from Indonesia, which was at the time hosting the Palestinian foreign minister? (Time expired)

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I've already indicated to the chamber, the foreign minister, Minister Payne, has had very good and very constructive discussions with her Indonesian counterpart. That is what we always do and will continue to do.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Rodger Shanahan, a research fellow and Middle East policy expert at the Lowy Institute, says Prime Minister Morrison's announcement is 'poorly thought out, trying to make tactical political mileage out of what is a strategic political issue'. Isn't it clear that the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Peter Jennings is right when he says that the announcement is 'clearly connected to Wentworth'?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know Mr Jennings very well. I hold him in very high regard. But I do not agree with him on this occasion.