Speakers: Hon Tim Ayres, David Higgins, Hon Sarah Henderson, Unknown Speaker, Mr. David Higgins

Transcript

Hon Sarah Henderson

>> Uh can I ask whether Minister Bowen personally lobbied any of his counterparts or world leaders to attend? you aware of any correspondence, any

Mr. David Higgins

>> So, Minister Bowen has had over the course of the year a range of conversations with his counterparts. Some of that pertained to preop. Um, he had conversations with his counterparts in relation to their participation in pre in preop. I'm I'm not aware of any engagement between him and leaders um with respect to their potential involvement. Um, that that's really a matter for prime minister and cabinet.

Hon Sarah Henderson

on notice. Could I ask for any correspondence in relation to uh Mr. Bowen's engagement with his counterparts?

Hon Tim Ayres

>> Well, we'll we'll take that question on

Hon Sarah Henderson

notice. >> I did ask for it on notice, Minister.

Hon Tim Ayres

>> Yes, I I'm I'm entitled to respond. Um you you you may interrupt me if you want, but it doesn't kind of make the session go very smoothly. Um the uh we will take that question on notice. >> Uh and I am certain

Hon Sarah Henderson

>> just ask for it on notice. Minister

Hon Tim Ayres

>> I I am I am certain uh that uh Minister Bowen and all of us understand Australia's interest, national interest in the region uh could not be more urgent. uh and uh we we as a government together with the leadership of those countries in the region where where the government has worked so hard to restore uh Australia's position. We have encouraged as strong as possible uh participation in that uh pre-OP meeting because it is fundamental to the interests of those countries in the Pacific and their interests are our interests. Um it could not be put more squarely than that. uh and that is in stark contrast uh to uh what happened uh in the in the decade uh prior to us coming to government. A lot of repair work has needed to be done in Australia's