Michael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Prime Minister, in writing, on 12 May 2011:

Did the Prime Minister raise the topic of the Chinese Government's detention of renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei with the Chinese when she visited China in April 2011; if not, why not; if so, can she indicate with whom, and what progress has been made resulting from such discussions.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

I have publicly indicated that, in my discussions with the Chinese leadership in April, I raised Australia's concerns about human rights, about the recent detention of human rights activists, about the treatment of ethnic minorities, and religious freedom.

The specific details of conversation with foreign leaders are, by convention, considered private.