Subjects: the voice, Nazi symbolism, Chinese officials
QUESTION: So we might soon be seeing the question that Australians will be asking the referendum. What do you think it needs to include?
KAREN ANDREWS: Well, I think it’s very important that it’s clearly outlined exactly what Australians will be asked to vote on in the referendum. Now we are hearing reports that there will be a finalization of that wording this morning. I understand that it is going to cabinet. We will wait to see what that, uh, wording is. But the coalition has been very successful in negotiating some safeguards that are really important to ensure that both the yes campaign and the no campaign have the status that is necessary for both of those, uh, campaigns to be able to proceed. That the wording is going to be very neutral from the government, to make sure that there is an opportunity for Australians to be properly informed and to make up their own minds without one particular side being given an opportunity to promote, and the other not.
QUESTION: When will the Liberal party confirm its position on the voice itself?
KAREN ANDREWS: Well, we are continuing to work with the government and as Peter Dutton has indicated, he has been willingly participating in discussions with the government. But there continue to be a number of questions that Peter himself has posed that remain unanswered. Peter will continue to negotiate in good faith, but again, from the Coalition’s perspective, we wanna make sure that Australians do have the opportunity to understand exactly what is being proposed in the referendum question and to get unbiased information in relation to both the yes and the known opportunities.
QUESTION: Do you support the ban on the Nazi salute?
KAREN ANDREWS: Yes I do.
QUESTION: And why, why is that?
KAREN ANDREWS: Look, I think the, the Nazi salute, Nazi insignia is just abhorrent. And I think that for a long period of time there’s been discussions about whether or not such insignia, such salute should be banned. I think that the time has come for action and very definitive action to take place now, primarily that sits with the states and their state responsibility. However, Peter Dutton introduced a private members bill into the house yesterday, and he’s made it very clear that we will work with the government on any changes that need to be made to the criminal code.
QUESTION: Yesterday, we saw a visit from some Chinese defence officials first time since 2019. Is this a positive sign, do you think, particularly after all of the rhetoric we’ve heard from China publicly about them being unhappy about the orchestra?
KAREN ANDREWS: Well, Australian, what always want to work cooperatively with its, neighbours, we will work closely with any nation, but Australian sovereignty is the most important issue. That’s been a very strong position that was taken by the Coalition when we were in government. It continues to be our position as well too. So yes, the government should certainly be speaking to neighbouring nations, but Australia’s sovereignty is the most important issue.
QUESTION: Did you ever try and lock in a meeting like that with home affairs or with the former Defence department when you were in government?
KAREN ANDREWS: Well, I didn’t have responsibility for defence, so I can’t answer in response to that as a Minister for home affairs. I worked very closely with our Five Eyes partners. And that was the priority for the time that I was in that portfolio, of course, in national security issues that involved China and other nations. And I dealt with that as appropriate.
QUESTION: What do you think it says the fact that China publicly raised concerns over AUKUS, but those talks went ahead yesterday anyway. What do you think that says about the state of the relationship between the two countries?
KAREN ANDREWS: Well, I think it’s interesting, my understanding is that there’s a second day of negotiations between China and Russia. Of course, Australia will watch very closely to see what the outcome of that is. The Australian position has been made very clear in relation to Russia and Ukraine, and that is now a longstanding position. We have raised concerns about China’s activity, particularly in the Pacific region, which is of a concern and an ongoing concern to us and potentially to the other nations in the Pacific. So we will watch very carefully what is happening with China and Russia. Keep an open mind, but be very aware that they will have particular interests. Thank you.
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