Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. The Albanese Labor government's first term saw the government work to undo the reputational damage of a decade of neglect in our region. What is the government doing to deepen the relationships with countries in our region?

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

Thank you, Senator Whiteaker, and, if I may, I'll preface my remarks by welcoming our international guests from the European Parliament and from the National Assembly. Bienvenu.

To the members of the ADF who are present here: Thank you for your service. Australia is very proud and honoured to have such women and men in the ADF serving our country, so thank you.

Senator, as you know, Australia's prosperity and security lie in our region, which is why I've visited every Pacific Islands Forum member, and all countries of ASEAN other than Myanmar, in my first year as Foreign Minister. After a decade of neglect under those opposite, we were determined to show up, to listen and to build trust. This is why the Prime Minister's visit to Malaysia for ASEAN meetings this week is so important. It is an opportunity to further strengthen Australia's relationships and to advocate for a peaceful, stable region, for the creation of jobs and economic growth here at home.

Yesterday, the government announced two new milestone investments, as part of our South-East Asia economic strategy to 2040, taking advantage of being part of the fastest-growing region in the world, bringing together Australian businesses and investors, to expand our presence and seize the opportunities of the historic growth underway in the Indo-Pacific.

We announced the government will invest $175 million into IFM Investors' Asia-Pacific Debt Fund and US$50 million into a new South-East Asian public private partnership investment fund established by the Australian Infrastructure Specialist Plenary. This adds to the work we have already done to deliver almost a billion dollars of new Australian investment under our South-East Asian economic strategy. Two-way trade has increased by $6 billion between 2023 and 2024. Together, the economies of ASEAN are Australia's second-largest trading partner. This delivers jobs for Australia. (Time expired)

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

Senator Whiteaker, a first supplementary?

Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 6 October the Prime Minister signed the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty, and last week the government hosted the 31st annual Australia-Papua New Guinea ministerial forum here in Canberra. How is the Albanese Labor government working to navigate uncertain international conditions and make Australia more secure by partnering with countries in our region to promote prosperity and stability?

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

As I said in my first answer, our stability, our security and our prosperity lie in our region. This is an historic time in the story of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea and Australia are old friends, close neighbours and now we are allies. Last month, we saw Prime Minister Albanese stand with Prime Minister Marape to celebrate 50 years of PNG's independence. On 6 October, our two leaders signed the landmark Pukpuk Treaty, a treaty that elevates our relationship to an alliance—PNG's first and Australia's first in more than 70 years. As you mentioned, I had the privilege last week of co-chairing the first-ever Australia-PNG ministerial forum as allies. Twenty ministers from two nations came together to demonstrate our unprecedented level of strategic trust. A stronger, safer PNG is good for PNG, good for Australia and it is good for our region.

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

Senator Whiteaker, a second supplementary?

Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Clearly the Albanese Labor government is working hard with allies and partners in our region to advance our national interests both economically and strategically. How will the government continue to deliver in Australia's national interest in the Pacific?

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

Australia will continue to be a partner the region can count on to build a strong Pacific family. Those opposite lectured the Pacific, those opposite mocked their priorities and—importantly—they failed to show up when it mattered. Their disastrous performance meant we lost a decade as a nation we are never getting back. And I will be upfront: we do face a permanent state of contest in the Pacific. While the coalition miserably talks Australia down, our government has had transformational breakthroughs like the Pukpuk Treaty, the Pacific Policing Initiative, the Falepili Union with Tuvalu and the Nauru-Australia Treaty. This is what Australia has been delivering under the Albanese government. This is what Labor governments are delivering whilst those opposite, the coalition, are more concerned about outflanking each other. You see, they haven't realised you can't be credible in the Pacific if you continue to deny the science of climate change.