Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. I refer to increasing tensions and armed aggression by the government of Russia in Eastern Ukraine and particularly draw the minister's attention to the recent comment by Russian President Vladimir Putin, 'I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers.' I ask in the light of this implied threat of nuclear escalation will the government immediately suspend Australian uranium exports to Russia and, if not, why not?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not have anything in my briefs in relation to this matter.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In your briefs?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the parliamentary briefs, just in case you have any concerns about that, Senator Cameron.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That was a horrible thought!

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I accept that interjection from Senator Cameron. I say to Senator Ludlam that I will take that question on notice. It is a sensitive issue. I will ensure that the answer that is provided is in the appropriate form in all the very sensitive circumstances surrounding the statement and the actual circumstances that the world confronts in Ukraine.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Senator Abetz, you may choose to take this on notice as well. I thank you for your answer. After you have received a brief from Senator Brandis, you might like to inform the chamber why uranium exports were excluded from the last round of sanctions applied by the Abbott government, noting Foreign Minister Bishop's comments in the press in the last couple of days.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As senators may have observed and as some of my colleagues have assisted me in indicating, in fact we do not have any contracts as we speak for the supply of uranium to Russia. But if there is further information or more clarifying information that is required to be brought to the chamber, I will attend to that.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. It is not often you actually learn something in question time, but today is obviously one of those days. Will he give an undertaking to the Senate in light of the information provided that there are no live contracts currently afoot that uranium exports will not be permitted from Australia should such a proposal come forward until at least the situation in the eastern Ukraine has been de-escalated?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If I might suggest to the honourable senator, that is a hypothetical question. But out of an abundance of caution I will also take that question on notice.