Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and concerns her appointment of Angus Campbell as Australia's next ambassador to the kingdom of Belgium and his nomination for ambassador for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO. Retired general Campbell was in positions of very senior command, the highest position being the Chief of the Defence Force, where much of the worst, offensive abuse and systemic weaponisation of administrative processes took place and took out veterans. He can't claim to be ignorant of what was occurring on his watch.

I would also remind the minister that Campbell was the CDF when Defence, frustratingly, refused to pass over documents and refused to do the right thing by the operation of the royal commission, a fact which is publicly known. Minister, I would like to know the terms of Ambassador Campbell's appointment and his annual salary. It would also be good to know what other benefits he will receive.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

General Campbell was appointed to the role because he has the experience and skills to advance Australia's interests in the role, which includes engagement with NATO, which is obviously particularly relevant at the moment. In relation to the details you ask for, I will see if I can obtain them before the end of question time. If I can't, I will make sure that we provide you with those. My recollection is that the terms of his engagement are as is standard for that particular post.

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

Senator Lambie, first supplementary?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given former general Campbell's responsibility for billions of dollars of failed projects and waste in Defence, the mismanagement of ADF disciplinary issues and the failure to achieve recruitment goals, what additional economic, financial and human resources expertise will DFAT employ to ensure our Brussels embassy functions effectively?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't anticipate there to be any particular changes to our post in Brussels. Obviously, it's a significant and substantial post. Whilst not our largest, it is a post with some resources, given both the roles that the mission there play and the engagement with NATO. If I have anything further on that, I will provide that to you, but I don't have any other information I can assist you with.

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

Senator Lambie, second supplementary?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the importance of trade relations with the European Union, it's puzzling that you didn't want to appoint a DFAT trade professional to this important post. What measures have you or DFAT taken to manage the damage to Australia's already damaged reputation from appointing an ambassador who served as a commander in Afghanistan while alleged war crimes were apparently taking place?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to that last point, Senator Lambie, you would be aware—because you follow this so closely—that a number of ministers have taken action in relation to those allegations and have undertaken appropriate process in relation to the Brereton report. In relation to the trade issue, it is the case that one of the issues that we would like to progress is obviously a free trade agreement with the European Union. I think that's been a bipartisan position. Obviously, that hasn't yet been achieved. I would say to you that trade negotiations are not generally undertaken by heads of mission, by ambassadors; they are led by DFAT trade negotiators, who do a very fine job.