Ludlam, Sen Scott

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (14:34): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. I refer to increasing tensions and armed aggression by the government of Russia in Eastern Ukraine and particularly draw the minister's attention to the recent comment by Russian President Vladimir Putin, 'I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers.' I ask in the light of this implied threat of nuclear escalation will the government immediately suspend Australian uranium exports to Russia and, if not, why not?