Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. I refer to breaking reports in the Fairfax media that Senator Payne will be meeting with the Indonesian foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, on the sidelines of the Bali Democracy Forum. The Indonesian foreign minister warned that Mr Morrison's decision to junk longstanding bipartisan foreign policy and review the location of Australia's embassy in Israel was 'a slap to Indonesia's face'. Can the minister confirm she will meet with Foreign Minister Marsudi? Will the minister seek to undo the damage done by Mr Morrison's decision to put domestic political interest before Australia's national interest?

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

Whose side are you on?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll take the interjection. I'm on Australia's side.

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

I have seen some rather breathless reports of my attendance tomorrow at the Bali Democracy Forum. It is the 11th Bali Democracy Forum, and Australia has been engaged in it for some time with a range of representatives. It is an important opportunity for us to both protect and promote the benefits of democracy with a wide range of nations. We know that Indonesia is the world's third-largest democracy, and we welcome their international leadership in advocating those democratic principles that we hold dear and highlighting the importance of democracy as part of the strategic agenda of our regions. I will be addressing the forum tomorrow and participating in it. I reject the premise of the rest of Senator Wong's question. It is a matter of record that I have met recently with Minister Marsudi in Papua New Guinea, on the sidelines of the APEC forum, and I will be meeting with her again tomorrow.

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

Senator Wong, a supplementary question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What is the status of the Morrison government's review into the location of Australia's embassy in Israel? When will the government announce the outcome of this review?

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

As the Prime Minister has indicated, the review is ongoing. It is underway, and he will be making his statement on this matter during the month of December.

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

Senator Wong, a final supplementary question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In light of the delay in the finalisation of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, can the minister advise whether a date for the finalisation of the agreement has now been reached, and will this be a matter discussed with the Indonesian foreign minister?

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

I'm not going to go into the details of the subjects of my discussions with Indonesia's foreign minister tomorrow. As you know, the IA-CEPA is intended to strongly benefit both countries. It's an important next step in the partnership. This is not an issue which is conflated with the other matter that Senator Wong has raised. It will be signed when it is ready to be signed.