Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Can the minister update the Senate on the Australian-US Ministerial Consultations held over the weekend?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Green, for the question. I acknowledge your deep commitment to advancing Australia's interest in the world. I also acknowledge, as a Senator Watt interjected, that we did hold the AUSMIN talks in Brisbane. Queensland showed us and our American friends a wonderful welcome. We are very grateful to the governor and to Premier Palaszczuk for assisting us in hosting AUSMIN in Brisbane. As people would be aware, Mr Marles, the Deputy Prime Minister, and I welcomed the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and the US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, for the 33rd Australia-US ministerial consultations, known as AUSMIN. It's the second AUSMIN since we've taken office, and we were, as I said, very pleased to have this in Brisbane for the first time. Of course, terrible news preceded the meeting when an Australian Army helicopter with four aircrew went down in waters off Hamilton Island. The meeting was held with heavy hearts and a clear reminder of the sacrifices of those who serve our nation. The fact that these AUSMIN consultations are held each year signifies the mutual respect and partnership between Australia and our vital ally and closest strategic partner. Under this government, we are working with the United States to modernise the alliance for a changing and contested world. As Deputy Prime Minister Marles said following the consultations, we will be seeing an increased tempo of visits from American nuclear powered submarines to our waters as we look towards the establishment of a US submarine rotation at HMAS Stirling later this decade. We also agreed various force posture initiatives to expand our cooperation, including in space. In a major step forward in our relationship, we are establishing a guided weapons and explosive ordinance enterprise in this country to see manufacture of missiles commence in Australia. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green on a first supplementary question?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

How are the US and Australia working together for our region?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I do place on record how much of the discussions—obviously we did hold a press conference afterwards to discuss some of the outcomes—focused on how we work together to ensure that our region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous and for the security of all nations, including our two nations as members of the alliance. We are modernising the alliance to ensure we are focused on the priorities of the region, and, of course, one of the highest priorities is climate change and clean energy. This, as stated now, is the third pillar of the alliance after the announcement between President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese, and we are working on implementing the Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact announced by the leaders, supporting the transition to clean energy in our two countries and in our region. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green on a second supplementary?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

How are Australia and the United States adapting the alliance for the future?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

First is climate change and clean energy being the third pillar of the alliance. Second, future humanitarian responses will be faster and more coordinated in the region as a consequence of the MOU, which will be in place between my department and USAID, working together to pre-position humanitarian supplies in Brisbane and Papua New Guinea, and we're going to work more closely on infrastructure development financing. In relation to AUKUS and AUKUS legislation, can I state publicly that we are very grateful for the efforts of the Biden administration in respect of defence export control legislation. This is all about creating a more seamless defence industrial base between our countries. This is about our alliance, which fundamentally strengthens our position, fundamentally strengthens our contribution to peace and stability and fundamentally strengthens Australian sovereignty.