15 November 2010

69  MR DANBY: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs—In respect of Chinese human rights lawyer Mr Gao Zhisheng:

(1) Has the Government raised the following issues with the Chinese Government: (a) that on 20 April 2010 Mr  Gao was allegedly taken from the home of a relative by security agents; and (b) since then, Mr Gao family has not seen or heard from him, nor received information on his whereabouts; if so, what was the outcome; if not, when will these issues be raised and in what context.

(2) Has the Government raised the following issues with the Chinese Government, that: (a) i n 2006 Mr Gao was charged with ‘inciting subversion’ for defending religious minorities and other clients considered controversial; and (b) after Mr Gao’s sentence was suspended, he was allegedly harassed and periodically detained, including from February 2009 until March 2010; if so, what was the outcome; if not, when will these issues be raised and in what context.

70  MR DANBY: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs—

(1) Has he raised the issue of Chinese firms evading sanctions placed on Iran by the United Nations Security Council under resolution 1929, by supplying Iran’s nuclear, missile and military programs with dual-use goods; if so, with whom and what was the outcome; if not, why not.

(2) Can he confirm that the United States State Department Special Advisor for Non-proliferation and Arms Control, Robert J. Einhorn, visited China in September 2010 to hand deliver a list containing evidence of cases involving sales of sensitive equipment.

(3) Has Australia taken any action against Chinese firms evading United Nations sanctions; if so, what action was taken; if not, why not.