David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is directed to the Hon. Don Farrell in his capacity representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence. Since becoming foreign minister, Senator Wong has repeatedly stated that re-engaging with China on a diplomatic level is the first step to stabilising the two country's relationship. Last week, China responded to the announcement about the $368 billion nuclear powered submarine deal by saying that the US, UK and Australia are completely disregarding the concerns of the international community and 'walking further and further down the path of error and danger'. Isn't it true that whatever efforts your government was making to repair relations with China through diplomatic means, they have now been fundamentally sabotaged by this hawkish push from Defence and the US and UK arms industries?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Shoebridge for his question. I don't agree with your assertion there, Senator. I'll make a couple of points. I made this point on Sky TV yesterday: I think that Senator Wong is shaping up to be one of the finest foreign ministers that we've had in this country—certainly in my lifetime. I think of all the things that she has done—not just in the Pacific and not just—

An honourable senator interjecting—

It may be provocative but I think it's true, and I can see most of my colleagues here nodding. She—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's not only what she has been doing in the Pacific and the Asian region but what she has been doing in terms of China. I might remind you that two days before Christmas, when most of us would have been spending time with our families preparing for Christmas Day, Senator Wong flew up to China to meet again with her equivalent. That meeting was the precursor to a meeting that I had a couple of weeks ago with my equivalent to try to stabilise and normalise the relationship with China. There's nothing I've heard that would suggest anything other than that this process of stabilisation is well on its way. You may read everything in the Chinese newspapers, but I hear and believe all of those things—

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You might live under a rock!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I don't live on a rock!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, the time for answering has expired. Senator Shoebridge, first supplementary question.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A senior Indonesian official says the country's sea lanes should not be used by Australian nuclear propelled submarines because 'AUKUS was created for fighting.' Similar concerns have been expressed by Malaysia. Given the negative response from our regional neighbours to the AUKUS submarine deal, can you now acknowledge that it marks the official demotion of Australian diplomacy and the bypassing of Senator Wong's office for an international posture driven by defence hawks and the US and UK arms industries?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I completely reject the assertion and the underlying assumptions in your question. I saw Senator Wong, just about every day last week, out there explaining to the Australian people what the AUKUS arrangements mean for not only her own state, which is a very significant development, but the country and the region. I would have said that, on balance, the response—for instance, of the Indonesians, which you've referred to—was a very balanced response to what was a sensible decision in our national interest. The most important job of any federal government is to ensure the safety and security of its people. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Pete. Today marks 20 years since the invasion of Iraq. Minister, do you accept that the $368 billion plus AUKUS submarine deal and its handcuffing of our largest-ever military program to the United States military and their future war-making shows we've learned nothing from the disaster of Iraq?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I reject completely the suggested link between AUKUS and the events in Iraq. I'd point out that had we had a Labor government in office at the time the decisions were made in respect of Iraq, Australia would not have joined—

Senator Shoebridge interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, could you resume your seat, please. Senator Shoebridge, I've called you at least three times. You've asked your question, now allow the minister to respond. Minister, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point is simply this: there is no link between AUKUS and what happened in Iraq, and had a Labor government been in office—

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What was the coalition of the willing if it wasn't AUKUS?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, the Labor Party under Simon Crean—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Again, Senator Whish-Wilson, I've called you on numerous occasions. The question has been asked; allow the minister to answer. Minister Farrell, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They ask the questions and then they don't like the answers. The truth of what happened under the Iraq war— (Time expired)