Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Not to my knowledge. Since Australia's Federation it has been a matter for the executive of the government of the day to make judgements about Australian national security and foreign policy interests. That has been the case for over a century and that is how it should continue. I would think the Australian people have been decidedly supportive, and why wouldn't they be? It has been an Australian concern for well over a century to see that our northern approaches and Northern Australia are secured as best we can. We have a treaty relationship with the United States of America which is widely viewed as a cornerstone of our security. When you have a partner—a strategic partner, a treaty partner—you engage in military exercises with that partner. This government stands firmly supportive of this initiative— (Time expired)