Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I am sure that every Australian wishes the Prime Minister's success in his visit to India to grow that bilateral relationship. Indeed, I understand the Punjabi language is in fact the fastest growing language base in Australia as we speak.

In relation to the issue raised by the honourable senator I can indicate that the Prime Minister has announced that during this visit it is his intention to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with India. Exports of Australian uranium to India will comply with Australia's international legal obligations.

Australia takes its responsibilities seriously in this regard. If we as a nation want to see the standard of living increasing in India and we want that to occur with the provision of electricity, there is a choice: we can keep on exporting huge amounts of coal; or, if we are genuinely concerned about greenhouse gasses and CO2, then a way to restrict those would in fact be to assist the emerging powerhouse of India to be able to create energy from such a non-polluting source. It will strengthen the relationship between our two nations and, what is more, hopefully will provide electricity that the honourable senator and I take for granted each and every day but which is not available to many Indian citizens. (Time expired)