Leah Blyth (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. The government has publicly described the incident on 19 to 20 October in the South China Sea in which a Chinese Su-35 fighter jet released flares dangerously close to a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft as 'unsafe and unprofessional', yet the PM still labels China as friends. What is the government's view of the incident, does the PM truly believe China is a friend, and how is Australia ensuring its aircraft and crew are safe in the region?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. The Australian government places the highest priority on the protection and defence of our military, whether they're at sea, on land or in the air. There's no greater responsibility that this government has than to ensure that our defence forces are protected. The issue that you referred to has been raised by the Prime Minister with the relevant officials of the Chinese government, and we have made our position very clear, as you have spoken about.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Blyth, first supplementary?

Leah Blyth (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How does the government balance maintaining trade with its friend China versus regional security concerns?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This government can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Blyth, second supplementary?

Leah Blyth (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What steps is the government taking to reassure Australians, including the families of ADF personnel and the Australian public more broadly, that our maritime surveillance and freedom-of-navigation operations will continue safely?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her second supplementary question. Well, Senator, we are spending $365 million to build submarines to do exactly that, and they're being built in your home state of South Australia.