Payne, Sen Marise

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:42): I thank Senator Conroy for the question. I do not have the benefit of the Hansardof the estimates in front of me, but the government and the ADF have the same view on this matter—that is, that Australia supports the rights of all states, including our own, to exercise freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight under international law, whether it is in respect of the South China Sea or elsewhere.