Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. Will the minister update the Senate on the importance of Australia's relationship with South-East Asia and the ways in which the government is strengthening our relationship with ASEAN countries?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to 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)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, a supplementary question?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the minister advise how the government is continuing its strong engagement with South-East Asian partners, our South-East Asian family, during COVID-19?

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

Again I thank Senator Scarr. There have been constraints imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have of course continued our strong political engagement and dialogue with our partners in the region. As well as the Prime Minister's recent virtual attendance at the ASEAN-Australia summit this month, and also the East Asia Summit, the government, under the leadership of the trade minister, Minister Birmingham, has signed the Regional Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with 14 Indo-Pacific countries. I've met together with all of my ASEAN counterparts four times since June, including a special ASEAN-Australia foreign ministers meeting on 30 June to discuss our shared COVID-19 response, as well as of course the annual East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN related meetings, both in September.

Notwithstanding limited travel this year, I visited Singapore in October, affirming the strength of our relationship; and Brunei in February. Our continued engagement across government demonstrates our strong commitment to this region.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Payne. Senator Scarr, a final supplementary question?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the minister outlined the Mekong-Australia program and the ways in which it will support this important region within South-East Asia?

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

We know that a prosperous and resilient Mekong is an important part of a strong South-East Asia region, and that's why we'll invest in a new $232 million Mekong-Australia program to support economic integration and development in the Mekong subregion. That package announced by the Prime Minister includes investments for economic integration and development, high-quality infrastructure and support for our region's emerging security needs and for the development of maritime resources. The key elements include providing scholarships for emerging leaders, creating even more valuable people-to-people links, strengthening cybersecurity and critical technology capabilities, new funding to boost jobs and growth as part of the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy and opening a new liaison office in Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar in 2021. We're deeply committed to working with Mekong countries to manage the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and to support economic integration and regional development.