ABC AM Interview with Sabra Lane

JOURNALIST: For more on the White Paper and China's reaction, I was joined earlier by the Foreign Minister and Deputy Liberal Leader, Julie Bishop. Foreign Minister, good morning and welcome.

JULIE BISHOP: Good morning Sabra.

JOURNALIST: First, China's reaction to the White Paper. It says it is irresponsible and its state's media is now calling Australia a propaganda outpost. What do you make of this reaction?

JULIE BISHOP: In fact, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that our description of the relationship with China was objective. Last evening, I met with the Chinese Ambassador, Cheng and he was very positive about the Australia-China relationship. In fact, today I am co-hosting a high level China-Australia dialogue with senior people from the Chinese Government and former foreign ministers and the like and they are very upbeat and positive about the relationship. And the White Paper is principled, it's pragmatic and it sets out very clearly our interests, our values and our priorities and I think other nations will respect that.

JOURNALIST: Well what do you make of that particular coverage then in mainland China?

JULIE BISHOP: Well you have to look at the source and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs described our analysis of the Australia-China relationship as objective and the feedback that I have had from senior Chinese officials is that they respect the stand we've taken in the White Paper. It's the first comprehensive analysis of our international engagement in over 14 years and I believe it sets forth a very realistic, clear eyed and pragmatic approach as to how we can use foreign policy to further our national interests both strategically and economically.

JOURNALIST: The White Paper points out that the rules-based order is under big strain. What is the solution?

JULIE BISHOP: For all nations to commit to strengthen and defend the international rules-based order. It's a principle that is worth defending and strengthening because it's fair and it's allowed all who participate in it to benefit.

JOURNALIST: China continues to test it though with its man-made islands in the South China Sea, for example. What happens if that pattern of behaviour continues?

JULIE BISHOP: Australia has always been very forthright about this issue. We call on all nations to respect freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight and that nations should resolve their differences peacefully and that includes resorting to international rules-based order - that is, the international laws and rules and conventions including the convention on the law of the sea - to resolve such disputes.

JOURNALIST: The paper says terrorism could worsen during the next 10 years. What do you say to Australians who'd be very worried about that?

JULIE BISHOP: We are cooperating on counter-terrorism with countries in our region. We have very deep connections with Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines through sharing of information and intelligence, disrupting terrorist funding, detecting travel by foreign fighters and extremists and their supporters and we've been strengthening our laws, and as you will see in the White Paper, one of our highest priorities is to continue to do all we can to keep Australians safe and secure and free.

JOURNALIST: What update, Minister, can you give us on Manus Island?

JULIE BISHOP: My understanding is that the PNG authorities are removing those people who are refusing to go to the alternative accommodations that have been provided. I would urge all people who remain on Manus Island to respect the laws and the authority of PNG and the Regional Processing Centre closed on 31 October.Those remaining in the centre are choosing to do so. PNG has been clear that the Processing Centre is closed and that those in the Centre must move to the alternative accommodation options that have been provided.

JOURNALIST: Is what's happening here undermining our standing in the region?

JULIE BISHOP: I do not believe so at all. In fact, nations respect our stand against people smuggling. We're working very closely with countries, including Indonesia, to ensure that the people smuggling trade is not revived and that means taking away the option of travelling by boat and paying people smugglers and attempting to get to Australia. There were 1200 deaths …

JOURNALIST: AM actually…..sorry.

JULIE BISHOP: There were 1200 deaths at sea when the Rudd and Gillard governments weakened our border protection laws and no one in the region thinks that that's a humanitarian outcome.

JOURNALIST: AM actually has spoken with a people smuggler overnight who says he's looking at a new trade among Rohingya refugees who say that they would rather drown at sea than be sent back to Myanmar and he's nominated Australia as a possible destination. What's your response?

JULIE BISHOP: Well I don't know who this unnamed people smuggler is, but Australia is working very hard with a number of nations through a regional process to the crisis in Rakhine State. I'm working with my Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, through the Bali Process to ensure that people who are fleeing from Rakhine State can be supported in Bangladesh and that we're working with Myanmar so they can return home to Rakhine State.

JOURNALIST: Today marks 10 years since Kevin Rudd came to office starting the revolving door era of prime ministers. Will the revolving door spit out Mr Turnbull?

JULIE BISHOP: No.

JOURNALIST: Would you like to see this Cabinet leak investigated?

JULIE BISHOP: I've dealt with this issue. I was on ABC last night to talk about the Foreign Policy White Paper - our first in 14 years - and I was asked questions about this and I've dealt with it.

JOURNALIST: But personally, given that suspicion has fallen on you, would you like to see the leaker identified?

JULIE BISHOP: I think I've well and truly dealt with this issue.

JOURNALIST: Given the leak, the push for a bank royal commission from the back bench and the undermining by conservative MPs of the leadership team, any objective observer might conclude that the Coalition seems determined to destroy itself.

JULIE BISHOP: I am supporting Malcolm Turnbull's extraordinary leadership. He's dealing with a number of challenges; he is calm and composed and measured and is governing for all Australians. He's focused on the issues that matter to Australians: affordable and reliable energy; tax cuts so that hard-working Australians can have more money in their pockets; he's dealt with the issue of same-sex marriage, we're getting legislation through the House and the Senate even though the numbers are against us. I think Malcolm Turnbull is showing extraordinary leadership and will continue to do so.

JOURNALIST: Minister, thanks for your time.

JULIE BISHOP: My pleasure.