Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. That implies that I had only got one minute and eight seconds into the answer when Senator Coonan interjected and took a point of order. I am trying to do my best to answer the question she directed to me.

As I was saying, that diplomatic initiative is continuing. Mr Woolcott is visiting a range of countries to discuss with them the potential new regional architecture and the Asia-Pacific Community proposal. That is a diplomatic initiative that obviously involves confidential discussions with those countries, the development of the proposal and countries’ responses, and no doubt those countries will also want to discuss among themselves the initiative. So, as I understand it, that process is continuing and the engagement is occurring. (Time expired)