Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

I am advised that all those other matters you raise are matters to be taken into account by the minister in reaching agreement with the designated country. I also refer you to paragraph 120 of the explanatory memorandum, which also makes it clear that the minister may have regard to other factors—that is, factors other than the national interest—in his consideration of matters to be relevant to the national interest, but he is not bound to do so. That paragraph does provide for the opportunity for other matters to be taken into account.