Senator JOHNSTON (Western Australia—Minister for Defence) (14:31): The problem with the senator's question is— Senator Wong: Is your answer. The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Wong! Senator JOHNSTON: The circumstances surrounding an engagement by either of us in conflict will be varied and diversified. It is simply not helpful. But the question was: are we bound? We are bound to consult and, if our national interest is at stake, I think the answer is very, very obvious to everybody, given Australia's historical connection to the United States and our historical engagement with them in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Africa and wherever you went to look. We have a long and proud engagement with the United States in maintaining stability and peace throughout the world.