SENATOR PENNY WONG, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE: Im just on my way to the British High Commission for a memorial service for the victims of Manchester. Obviously a very solemn occasion and a very sad occasion and all Australians stand with the people of the United Kingdom and all people of goodwill all over the world in solidarity and sympathy with the British people.
The only other point I want to make is in relation to the Man Monis letter which was the subject of quite a lengthy set of discussions and questioning at Senate Estimates yesterday. I asked Senator Brandis yesterday whether or not the failure to pass the letter on to authorities was a serious failing. He didnt want to answer that question, but I am glad that today on radio he has acknowledged that this was a failing of the governments and of his. We welcome the governments commitment to work to ensure that appropriate polices are in place to ensure such letters are passed on to the appropriate authorities.
JOURNALIST: Ahead of his trip to Australia, US Senator John McCain has said that Australia has a greater role to play in the US strategy in the region. He described China as increasingly belligerent. Is that your assessment? And what role does Australia have to play?
WONG: John McCain has been a friend of Australias for a very long time and we welcome his trip to Australia, and certainly I look forward to meeting with him when he is here.
In relation to China, Australia has for many year navigated two very important relationships our principle relationship, our security alliance with the United States, and of course, a major economic relationship with China. Governments of both political persuasions have pursued both of those relationships constructively and we will continue to do so. We want a stable region. We want a peaceful region. We want continued constructive US engagement in this region and we want a constructive relationship with China.
JOURNALIST: Just on Adani, David Feeney and Peter Khalil yesterday said that they have come out against the project. Does that put increasing pressure on Labor to re-evaluate its official position?
WONG: To be honest I didnt pay much attention to what was happening outside Senate Estimates yesterday so I didnt see the comments to which you refer but Bill Shortens made our position on that very clear.