Payne, Sen Marise

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:45): I can restate what I said, but I began by saying that, because it was the Northern Territory government's proposal, there was a number of discussions with the United States rotational liaison officer about the long-term lease of the commercial port of Darwin. I also referred to the public engagement on that matter, including public reporting in mainstream media and the NT News. I indicated that, because of the timing, the Secretary of Defence raised and briefed the US Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr Bob Work, in Washington, face-to-face. I do not think there is anything to reconcile.