George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Di Natale, to start with, I utterly reject your insulting description of the President of the United States of America. The United States of America is Australia's greatest ally. It has been our greatest ally since the time of the Second World War, and long may it remain so.

Nevertheless, Senator Di Natale, your question does give me the opportunity to address the situation in North Korea. North Korea's pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities is unacceptable. It flouts unanimous UN security resolutions. Every act of defiance adds to the hardship of that country's long-suffering people. Australia is deeply concerned about the global threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program and its illicit activities, including sales of weapons of mass destruction, related material and arms, cyber attacks and alleged assassinations. Australia implements a sanctions regime aimed at limiting North Korea's ability to develop weapons of mass destruction.

On 6 August, the Minister for Foreign Affairs agreed to designate an additional three individuals and seven entities for targeted financial sanctions under Australia's autonomous sanctions regime. Our measures add to the international pressure and complement the strong resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council, including by resolution 2371, adopted on 5 August, which takes strong steps to curtail revenue going to North Korea by banning certain exports. Australia is delivering very clear messages to North Korea that its interests are best served by ceasing its nuclear capability. (Time expired)