Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I, too, wish to congratulate the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on its 50th anniversary—50 years of evolution and progress. The Governor-General celebrated and hosted an event on 8 August in recognition of this auspicious occasion, which was attended by my friend and colleague foreign minister the Hon. Julie Bishop.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established 50 years ago in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN declaration by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Now, ASEAN consists of 10 countries, including Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. ASEAN has made significant contributions to delivering peace, security and cohesion in our region since its inception half a century ago. ASEAN fundamental principles include mutual respect for the independent sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations, renunciation of the threat or use of force and effective cooperation among themselves.

Myanmar has seen an evolutionary cultural shift where ASEAN principles are evident, helping to change the political landscape and replacing what was once chaotic civil unrest with energy, hope and possibilities for the future. Australia, I know, works particularly hard with all the ASEAN nations, but with the rebirth of democracy in Myanmar, additional financial assistance and nurture of development initiatives will be significantly enhanced. Extra education funding is aimed towards an educational shift. It is a difficult but essential task.

The International Women's Development Agency has pioneered a mentoring project. Just last week, six female Myanmar MPs came to our parliament. They were very impressed with the way children's democracy education took place in the House. They were inspired to take that idea home—amongst many other things—to help grow democracy in Myanmar. The model of close political mentoring and support is one that may, perhaps, be adopted by other nations within ASEAN parliaments.

I particularly thank the Akhaya Women from Myanmar, especially Htar Htar, as she has been the catalyst for this exercise in the empowerment of women. Jen Clark and Leonie Morgan from IWDA have also played a special part. I would like to thank the six MPs from Myanmar: Daw Khin Swe Lwin, Naw Chris Htun, Lway Nan Moe, Daw Nan Htwe, Nang Khin Saw and Daw Khin Saw Wai. They have come to a very strange land to learn, apply and grow their own democracy and political advocacy. This is all part of our participation in the ASEAN relationship.

The ASEAN alliance is important to Australia's strategic and economic interests due to its position at the geographical and diplomatic centre of our region. We are close partners dedicated to tackling regional challenges. Our 43-year standing relationship is robust and continues to strengthen. In 2014, Australia became a strategic partner, placing us at the top level of partnerships. There are biennial ASEAN-Australian leaders' summits. Australia strongly supports the East Asia Summit and actively engages in the ASEAN Regional Forum in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus.

The Prime Minister will host the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, planned for March next year, attended by all the leaders in the region in recognition of the political-level strengthening of our relationship with all member countries. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to advance our mutual security, economic interests and set frameworks of cooperation for the future. As we know, the economies of South-East Asia are the key drivers of global growth. With a five per cent annual increase across the region, there are undoubtedly prosperous times ahead.

Australia's $93 billion two-way trade with ASEAN has grown by over $25 billion in the last decade and now exceeds our trade with the United States and Japan. The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area and bilateral free trade areas with ASEAN partners provide greater certainty for Australian service suppliers and investors, with extensive tariff reductions for Australian goods' exporters. We provide significant bilateral investments. Our ASEAN and Mekong regional program supports economic integration, free trade, sustainable water resource management and human security issues like antitrafficking and safe labour migration in addition to health sector aid, particularly the antimalaria initiatives. Our aid is a reflection of our deep interest in a prosperous and stable South-East Asia.

ASEAN countries and its peoples are part of the fabric of Australian society with nearly one million Australians claiming ASEAN ancestry and at least 700,000 Australians speaking an ASEAN language. In 2016, 15 per cent of all international visitors to Australia and nearly 18 per cent of all international students in Australia were from ASEAN countries. We must continue to engage, embrace and work with our neighbouring countries to ensure peace, security and prosperity.

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