Leah Blyth SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities
5:12 pm
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
5:13 pm
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.
Leah Blyth SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities
5:14 pm
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
This government can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Leah Blyth SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities
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
5:15 pm
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.