Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Scarr for his question. The government's strong view is that ASEAN is at the heart of Australia's vision for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region in which sovereign states are able to make independent choices. It's a vision which is closely aligned with the principles set out in the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific. And we've continued to deepen our engagement with our South-East Asian neighbours. Indeed, at the ASEAN-Australia summit last month, the Prime Minister announced a major investment of over $500 million in economic development and security measures to support South-East Asia's recovery from COVID-19. It's a package which is aligned with ASEAN's priorities under the ASEAN outlookmaritime, connectivity, sustainable development, economic cooperation. We welcome the agreement also to increase the tempo of our leaders' meetings to annual summits because that opens up a new chapter in the ASEAN-Australia strategic partnership.

We've also signed a strategic partnership with Thailand, we've facilitated the entry into force of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Indonesia and we've agreed on a plan of action with Vietnam to deliver on our strategic partnership. I also met with Vietnam's Ambassador to Australia last week and took the opportunity to particularly thank Vietnam for their leadership of ASEAN during a very difficult year, concerning the impact of COVID-19 in particular. Also, last week, I met virtually with my Malaysian counterpart on Friday, Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, and thanked Malaysia for their role as our ASEAN country coordinator.

ASEAN is clearly more important than ever as we deal with the health and economic challenges that COVID-19 has brought upon us. It is galvanising the region's response to the pandemic and, in particular, playing a central role in how our region will emerge from the crisis. A strong ASEAN is critical to the recovery and the future prosperity of Australia and the region. That's why we stand together in the challenges we face. (Time expired)