Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. I note reports that the member for Dawson, Mr George Christensen, who is a part of the coalition government, has over the weekend condemned the government's provision of funding to an international planned parenthood agency. Does the minister agree with the member that this was 'a disgraceful act' and 'a very low point … for our nation'?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rice for her question. I don't have advice with me on that matter, Senator Rice, but I'm very happy to take your question on notice.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Rice, a supplementary question.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. Noting the foreign minister's own words—that 'sexual and reproductive health challenges are the leading causes of death … among women and girls in the world today'—will the minister affirm that the government will remain committed to our international obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals and will not be cutting, or diverting, funding partnerships with international agencies delivering essential reproductive health and abortion services?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can advise that the government believes that universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care is central to global efforts to improve health, accelerate development and strengthen equal opportunity for men and women. These services are vital to enabling women and girls to stay healthy, to remain in education and to participate equally in society and the economy. I would note that we support, through the aid program, the same range of reproductive health services in developing countries as are available in Australia, subject to the laws of those countries. That includes sexual and reproductive health services; education; family planning; maternal health services; the prevention and treatment of STIs and HIV; and termination, where legal. This range of activities is consistent with the Family Planning and the Aid Program: Guiding Principles document which, you would be aware, was released in 2009. The SPRINT program—the sexual and reproductive health services in crisis and post-crisis situations phase 3 program—has been funded by Australian governments for over a decade. (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Rice, a final supplementary question.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Given that response, will the minister then affirm that this government will not be following the lead of the likes of Donald Trump in seeking to restrict foreign aid going to organisations which provide abortion as part of their reproductive health services and will not bow to outdated and dangerous views which seek to remove choices for people seeking those services?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Rice, as you would expect, the Australian government will make our decisions based on our own criteria and our own support. In relation to SPRINT 3, as I indicated towards the end of my last question, it has been funded by Australian governments for more than a decade. It is funding which reinforces our longstanding commitment to addressing the needs of women and girls in humanitarian crises. We announced further funding for SPRINT 3 in February 2017, and that position continues.