Doorstop interview

JOURNALIST: The Russian President has called for a daily halt in fighting in Syria. Does Russia have too much control over the Assad regime or is this overwhelmingly positive?

JULIE BISHOP: Russia certainly has been supporting the Assad regime for a number of years now, that's quite obvious and quite evident. Russia is also a member of the Security Council and on the weekend the UN Security Council unanimously resolved that there be a 30 day pause in Syria to enable humanitarian aid be delivered to areas like Ghouta where Assad forces have been bombing the region. A further pause by Russia of course will give an opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid, but we need a political solution in Syria. The bombing in Ghouta has been a horrendous outcome, and there are allegations of the use of chemical weapons. Australia condemns absolutely any use of chemical weapons. We have imposed sanctions on 184 individuals and entities whom we believe have been involved in some of these crimes, and we're also supporting the United Nations set up an investigative mechanism to investigate and hopefully prosecute these crimes against humanity including the use of chemical weapons.

Also, overnight, Australia having now taken its place on the Human Rights Council, we joined in the condemnation of the Human Rights Council of the acts in Syria, particularly in Ghouta.

JOURNALIST: Minister, there were reports this morning, unconfirmed, of further chemical attacks. Have you had any advice on that?

JULIE BISHOP: I haven't got any specific details but we are aware that these allegations of the use of chemical weapons continue. It is absolutely abhorrent that chemical weapons should be used in any circumstance and Australia will continue to support all efforts to bring those responsible to justice. We're supporting the investigative measures of the United Nations to investigate and prosecute those involved.

JOURNALIST: Should Russia use its political points more to stop Assad from doing this?

JULIE BISHOP: Of course. Russia, all members of the Permanent Five, should use their leverage, power, their special responsibility as members of the Security Council to put pressure on parties, including the Assad regime, to find a political solution. This conflict, this civil war, has been going on for years. In the meantime, terrorist organisations like ISIS have been able to fill the ungoverned space. The fight against terrorism has been thwarted by an ongoing civil war.

JOURNALIST: The investigation into Roman Quaedvlieg has taken 9 months, he's been paid half a million dollars over that time. Are you frustrated that it's taken this long? Obviously the public would be.

JULIE BISHOP: I'm not aware of the specific details. It is not within my Department. An investigation is underway. I assume it's going to be a thorough investigation, and I'm assuming that there will be answers.

JOURNALIST: Catherine Marriott, the woman who made a complaint against Barnaby Joyce didn't want her identity released - do you think that this sort of leak will deter other women from reporting incidents of sexual harassment?

JULIE BISHOP: Clearly she wanted this information to be kept confidential. It's deeply regrettable that somebody has chosen to make it public, and of course it's a concern if she wanted this matter investigated but she didn't want her name raised, then whomever leaked it should regret it.

JOURNALIST: There are reports that it was leaked, the complaint was leaked to try and blast Barnaby out of a job.

JULIE BISHOP: I'm not aware of the details. I only know what I've seen in the paper, I'm not aware of the details at all.

JOURNALIST: The Prime Minister's investigated or asking Michael Parkinson to investigate. Why did that take so long?

JULIE BISHOP: The Prime Minister asked the head of PM&C to carry out an investigation as to whether the Ministerial Code of Conduct had been breached. Barnaby Joyce resigned and so the head of PM&C wrote to the Prime Minister and said there was no point in continuing. Up until then there was no evidence of a breach of the Ministerial Code. The Prime Minister acted completely appropriately in asking the Head of Prime Minister and Cabinet to look into the matter. There's a separate and independent process in relation to travel entitlements. You will recall that the Prime Minister set up an independent body to look at Parliamentarians travel entitlements - that's a separate matter.