Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, have you advised the Prime Minister to apologise to the Japanese Prime Minister for the crude and insulting comments and gestures he made when discussing a symbolic and thoughtful gift of crown melons he received from her?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

First, I would say to those opposite that Prime Minister Takaichi is a friend of Australia and a friend of the Prime Minister and the relationship with Japan is closer than it has ever been. I am disappointed that those opposite are so desperate to score political points that they seek to confect a diplomatic issue to do so. The relationship with Japan has bipartisan support, as it should. It is a very important relationship for Australia, and I would emphasise how grateful I am to have the close relationship that I have with Foreign Minister Motegi, who I spoke to just over a fortnight ago on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting.

Those opposite may know that I have visited Japan, I think, seven times as Foreign minister. This goes to the relationship between Japan and Australia.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

Have you told the PM as the Foreign minister to apologise?

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

Order! The question's been asked.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I think Senator Cash is demonstrating why she's no longer in this shadow portfolio by her interjections and by what she has said. We take very seriously the importance of the relationship with Japan—

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! My goodness! We're into the first question. I've called order about seven times. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia's relationship with Japan is one of the most important relationships we have. In fact, I often describe it publicly as our special strategic partnership second only to, in particular, our alliance with the United States. Now, it's a relationship that has been strengthened under this government, and we will continue to do that because it is in Australia's national interest.

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

Senator Sharma, first supplementary?

Honourable senators interjecting—

I'm sorry, Senator Sharma. I'll just wait until there's order on your side. Senator Sharma.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Far from confecting a diplomatic issue, Japan's former ambassador to Australia wrote only yesterday:

The last thing she expected was to be so casually mocked by the trusted leader of Japan's special strategic partner.

Minister, do you agree the comments were unacceptable and unworthy of an Australian prime minister?

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

Before I call Minister Wong, I'm going to remind those particularly on my right that Senator Sharma had the right to ask his question in silence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

As Senator Gallagher said today, the Prime Minister has been clear that he did not mean for those comments to be interpreted in the way they have been by those opposite. I again say Prime Minister Takaichi is a friend of Australia and a friend of the Prime Minister. I make this point: this is a relationship—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Minister Wong, I'm sorry. Please resume your seat. I've called for order on my left. Senator Ruston, you were one of the people that was out of order the first time around, and you've continued to be. Please come to order. Minister Wong, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, what I would say is that we appreciated very much Prime Minister Takaichi's visit to Australia and the Prime Minister was honoured to receive her, just as I was honoured to deliver the keynote address at the event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nara treaty. We will continue to work in our relationship with Japan, which is so important to strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific.

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

Senator Sharma—

I'm sorry, Senator Sharma. Resume your seat. Senator Ruston, I've asked you to come to order; I expect you to come to order. Senator Sharma, second supplementary?

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, what steps have you as Foreign minister taken to ensure our partnership with Japan, one of our most valued trading and security partners, is not damaged by the Prime Minister's boorish and insulting behaviour?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, what I'd say to the senator is that the relationship with Japan is something that has strengthened since we have been in government, that we engage closely and regularly, that the Prime Minister regards Prime Minister Takaichi as a personal friend as well as a friend of our nation, and that we are grateful for the close relationship we have. I know that there's a lot of division and unrest in opposition ranks, which has been spoken about, but I don't believe that distracting from that by diminishing Australia's relationships is responsible.