Michaelia Cash says Donald Trump should keep US in Paris climate deal

Minister says Australia's view clear to US although departmental secretary unable to point to 'particular discussion'

The employment minister, Michaelia Cash, says Australia's national interest is best served if Donald Trump stays the course with the Paris climate agreement.

With the US president expected to make a decision this week about whether America will pull out of the Paris accord, officials were asked during Senate estimates hearings whether Australia had made diplomatic representations to the Trump administration encouraging the president to remain in the agreement.