Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

What this government always seeks to do is to ensure the safety and security of Australians and of this country. Unlike you, we don't believe that that is lessened through an alliance; in fact, we recognise the benefit that the alliance can bring—recognising that we always have to have it within an appropriate sovereignty framework. You have so many examples, including from the country represented today in the chamber, of what can happen if deterrence is insufficient. We will invest in deterrence, because, to keep the peace, you need also to have strong deterrence, and deterrence is part of ensuring peace and stability. And that is what we seek to do.