Month: June 2023

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded his first official visit to Vietnam, a strategic and economic partner and enduring friend to Australia. Stepping-up Australia’s relations with Vietnam is an important part of the Government’s determination to rebuild Australia’s links with the countries of Southeast Asia.

This year marks 50 years since diplomatic relations were established with Vietnam. Since then, our partnership has expanded significantly, with work now underway to elevate the Australia-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During the visit, Prime Minister Albanese met with his counterpart, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior leaders.

Bilateral talks focussed on ways to grow trade and investment, building on the impressive expansion of two-way trade which rose by almost 40 per cent last financial year. To reflect the vital importance of this trading relationship with a vibrant and growing economic partner, the Prime Ministers announced the inaugural Australia-Vietnam Trade Ministers’ Dialogue.

Leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation on climate, energy and the environment, including a new Australian commitment of $105 million focussed on enabling Vietnam to increase its uptake of clean energy and clean energy infrastructure and to update its mining law to attract foreign investment to develop Vietnam’s critical minerals resources.

All of this will help build a two-way partnership that contributes to global emissions reductions and is fit for the economic opportunities of the future.

Looking to the future, Leaders also welcomed growth in air links between the two countries with the increase in direct flights and the addition of new direct flights from Vietnam to Brisbane, which will boost tourism and trade ties.

Education links were another focus of the Prime Minister’s visit.  Marking the next stage in the education relationship, the Prime Minister launched RMIT’s new Industry and Innovation Hub in Hanoi and welcomed RMIT’s intention to invest $250 million in its Vietnam operations, including a major expansion of its Ho Chi Minh City campus.

Prime Minister Albanese witnessed a new agreement for Western Sydney University to offer 60 Whitlam Scholarships over two years for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian students to study business, communications and data science in Vietnam and Australia.

The Prime Minister oversaw additional announcements on increased cooperation on digital economy, science commercialisation and innovation policy development, as well as the exchanging of financial intelligence to support cooperation on money laundering and terrorism financing. 

Bilateral talks emphasised the importance of a stable, prosperous and resilient region, and the crucial role of ASEAN as Southeast Asia’s key forum for cooperation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I am honoured to visit Vietnam as we celebrate 50 years of relations between our nations.

“Australia and Vietnam are committed to working together to meet the challenges of the future, including the climate crisis. Australia is committed to becoming a renewable energy superpower and supporting our regional partners as they transition to net zero.

“Vietnam’s economic growth is nothing short of remarkable – and I am proud that Australia has played a role with increasing trade, investment, and development assistance.

“I look forward to continued discussions to elevate the Australia Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

To ensure the Housing Australia Future Fund legislation passes before the end of the June sittings, the Greens have made significant concessions and halved their offer to the government.

This is a compromise that focuses on tackling the housing crisis immediately, given that Labor’s plan is unlikely to deliver any homes before the next election and doesn’t deal with the imminent ‘valley of death’ from the loss of up to 24,000 affordable NRAS rental properties over the next 3 years that Federal Labor is cutting funding for.

The most recent Guardian Essential polling shows support for freezing rental increases is now at 60% across the country.

The Greens will pass the government’s HAFF Bill in June if:

1. The government takes immediate interim action on a freeze on rent increases and rent caps at the upcoming National Cabinet and National Housing Ministers meetings. This would be done by offering the states and territories an additional incentive fund of $1 billion a year (through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement), in return for imposing a 2 year freeze on rent increases, ongoing rent caps and improved renters rights. Funding could be spent on both purchasing rental homes exiting the NRAS scheme or otherwise vacant unused housing for public housing. 
2. Guarantee at least $2.5 billion a year spent directly on public, community and affordable housing, starting now. Labor’s plan likely won’t see new houses delivered until after the next election, and in the meantime the problem will get worse with NRAS homes coming out of the system. Rather than waiting 24 months for the Fund to complete a single new home, the spend must begin this year, with some of the money directed towards immediate interventions including purchasing affordable rental homes exiting the NRAS scheme, off-the-plan homes or otherwise vacant unused housing. This sum is half of the Greens original proposal and less than 1/10th of the average annual cost of the Stage 3 tax cuts.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“The Greens have shifted, and it is time for Labor to do the same.

“If Labor backs a rent freeze and guarantees real money for more housing, the Greens will pass Labor’s bill.

“The Greens have shown we can negotiate with Labor and get significant outcomes for people and the climate. We strengthened the Safeguard Mechanism, we secured the Housing Electrification package and we fast tracked cheaper Electric Vehicles for the country. We’re now trying to fix the broken HAFF Bill, but Labor has to shift.”

Greens spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness Max Chandler-Mather MP said:

“The Greens are more than willing to negotiate, and we’ve halved our initial demand of the government, but our message remains crystal clear. 

“Labor is leaving renters behind. Renters need action now, not after the next election, and we need real cash on the table for public housing.

“If Labor can spend over $30b a year on Stage 3 tax cuts for the wealthy, they can find $3.5b a year to fund a rent freeze and more public and affordable housing. 

“Rents are soaring under Labor and 60% of people back the Greens’ push for a rent freeze.

“From day one we have sought to reach a compromise with Labor to pass a bill that will actually start to tackle the scale of the housing crisis, yet Labor has yet to offer a single extra dollar of ongoing funding for public housing, or take action to progress a freeze on rent increases. 

“With declining private construction activity freeing up skills and materials, Australia has the capacity to build more public and affordable housing, and the Government can certainly afford $3.5 billion a year; really the only barrier is the Labor Party who seem to have decided the housing crisis doesn’t matter. 

“Labor’s plan won’t see a single home built until 2025, while it does nothing for the millions of renters about to cop massive rent increases, and certainly does nothing for the 24,000 families about to lose their affordable NRAS homes as a result of Labor’s cuts, so of course the Greens are pushing for action that helps people right now. 

“The Greens have now moved a long way, so the question for Labor is, are they really saying they’d rather do nothing to tackle the housing crisis than agree to $3.5 billion of investment in public and affordable housing and a national freeze on rent increases. 

“With wall to wall Labor governments all across the mainland, there’s no reason why National Cabinet can’t agree to freeze rent increases immediately and stop the rental crisis in its tracks.

“Labor’s Federal budget will hand $12 billion for property investors and locks in $30 billion a year for the Stage 3 tax cuts, it is beyond comprehension that Labor would refuse to invest just $3.5 billion on public housing and a rent freeze in the middle of one of the worst housing crises Australia has seen.”

The country is going troppo over the fact the Reserve Bank Governor presented himself to Senate Estimates this week and offered solutions to the rental crisis, including suggesting kids keep living with their parents to avoid exorbitant rent.

We bet everyone is thrilled that a line from the country’s top economic manager to solve the rental crisis is, in effect, moving back home to mooch off Mum and Dad. Just thrilled. 

What mainstream media won’t ever report on, let alone the radical left concede, is that the RBA Governor wouldn’t even present himself to estimates were it not for the work of Senator Malcolm Roberts.

In those early days after One Nation burst back onto the national scene, it was the unrelenting work of Malcolm Roberts in Senate Estimates that forced the RBA to admit the government was printing money in ever-increasing amounts.

The RBA declared that being accountable to parliament was beneath them, but Senator Roberts insisted on asking the RBA questions.

Of course, the mainstream media just reported that Roberts’ questions were quirky, and boldly stated the RBA governor would never do such a thing as ‘print money’. 

We are now in the inflationary spiral we are in because of rampant RBA money printing, as first exposed by Senator Roberts.  

But that’s not the only top brass having the grilling of their lives this week. 

General Angus Campbell, chief of the defence force, had warned a small group of serving and retired ADF members that their medals could be removed over apparent “command accountability” failures when alleged war crimes occurred.

The Australian Defence Force chief was grilled in parliament by Senator Roberts over moves to revoke the military honours from some soldiers who served in Afghanistan, with the senator suggesting General Campbell should “surrender” his own medal.

Turns out General Angus was a commanding officer of the same troops he is threatening to remove the medals from, but has decided, on his own investigation, that he was a goodie and the baddie troops were the ones who should have their medals stripped.

Through the hard work of Senator Roberts, we think General Campbell and the RBA Governor are about to learn that Australians have little tolerance for lofty tall poppies who are driven in tax-payer limousines and fed off silver plates, while the rest of us are left to endure their banal and frankly arrogant decisions.

The Greens have called on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to rule out making life easier for fossil fuel companies, following reports that a new environmental information body could be used by the Albanese Government to fast track coal and gas. 

Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The job of the Environment minister is to protect the environment, not make life easier for fossil fuel companies. Minister Plibersek should rule out any suggestion that the environment will be traded off for a dirty deal with Peter Dutton and the gas industry.

“Peter Dutton is begging the Albanese Government to do a deal with the Coalition for their pitiful PRRT changes in exchange for fast-tracking coal and gas approvals. This is the last thing our environment, wildlife and climate needs.

“Environmental data should help protect nature, not be used for the benefit of polluting industries that continue to destroy it. This is completely counterproductive to the climate and environment targets the Government keeps claiming it is working towards.

“Labor should be working with the Greens to make big gas corporations pay their fair share of tax. Instead, they are sacrificing nature protection in a bid to keep big fossil fuels on their side.

“Minister Plibersek has committed to fixing our broken environmental laws in this country. This is not a good start. New bodies like Environment Information Australia must be futureproofed so they cannot be used for the benefit of polluting, destructive industries.”

Labor has gutted its pre-election schools platform, walking back its stated commitment to fully fund public schools and ensure equity for the most disadvantaged students, the Greens say.

The ALP’s draft 2023 national platform has abandoned a pledge to ensure that “all schools are fairly resourced”, replacing it with a more watered down statement which only ensures that schools are “on a path” to full funding. They’ve also included language which would make funding increases to the most disadvantaged schools, the vast majority of which are receiving less than the minimum funding level determined by Gonski, contingent on “practical reforms”.

Labor has also dumped all language requiring the party to deliver equity in education. The 2021 platform said it was “unacceptable” for students to miss out because of class, geography and disability, while it also committed to closing the education gap for First Nations students and students living in regional and remote areas. There are no equity goals in the new schools platform.

The proposed platform amendments are the latest indicator that Labor has no plan to try to halt the decline of the public system and should leave teachers, parents, carers and students deeply concerned about how committed Labor is to finally delivering full funding to public schools in the next National School Reform Agreement.

Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“This should be a massive wake-up call to anyone still holding on to the hope that Labor is going to finally deliver on the promise of Gonski and properly fund our public schools. 

“We need bold, brave action to save our public schools and reverse the downward trajectory of student performance, but this watered down platform clearly telegraphs Labor’s intention to do no such thing.

“If you stick a microphone in front of the Education Minister he’s bound to tell you that he doesn’t want to live in a country where kids’ chances in life depend on how rich their parents are or the colour of their skin.

“Yet here we have, in black and white, hard proof that Labor has no commitment whatsoever to arresting the yawning, and growing, gap between the education haves and have nots. How does the Minister square the circle between his own flowery rhetoric and the party’s stated position?

“Fully funding our public schools would only cost an extra $6.5 billion a year. That’s in the ballpark of this year’s budget surplus, or roughly one-sixth of a nuclear submarine we don’t need.

“Negotiations on the next National School Reform Agreement are already underway. This is the last chance we have to bring the public school system back from the brink. Labor has the chance to come riding over the hill to save the day, but at the moment it looks like they’re vacating the field of battle.

“The Greens will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with unions, teachers, parents, carers and students in rejecting Labor’s spinelessness and keeping the pressure on the government to finally give our public school kids a chance.

Labor’s decision to significantly cut back their pre-election commitments to protect the LGBTIQA+ community must be condemned, said Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, Stephen Bates MP. 

The Australian Labor Party released their draft 2023 National Platform for consultation this week. The draft platform removes the Labor Party’s commitments to:

• Strengthen laws and expand initiatives against discrimination, vilification and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics;
• Expand integrated advice, health and support services available to LGBTIQ Australians, including to those with particular needs, those who are young, those who are First Nations people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living in rural, regional and remote Australia;
• Remove, wherever possible, barriers to accessing gender affirming healthcare services in consultation with medical experts and government;
• That no PBS, Medicare or government services will have a discriminatory impact on the LGBTIQA+ community;
• Support intersex-led organisations to provide support to intersex persons and their families, and advocate on intersex issues; and
• Review documentation requirements, including the use of passports and birth certificates, as they affect transgender and intersex people, to ensure that male, female and non-binary identity can be affirmed without discrimination.

Stephen Bates MP said:

“At a time when LGBTIQA+ people, particularly the trans and gender diverse community, are being subjected to growing hate, threats and extremism, the removal of Labor’s pre-election positions are unconscionable.

“If those in Labor are so insistent that this platform is just a draft, I challenge them to publicly affirm their commitment to use all levers available to them – like convincing their local branches, state branch delegates and affiliated unions – to amend the platform. 

“Between Labor’s pre-election National Platform in 2021 and today’s, we have witnessed a national hate tour and neo-nazi rally against trans and gender-diverse Australians, and attacks and threats of violence against Drag Story Times and artistry. 

“We are experiencing a storm of social media abuse and harmful national debate about our right to exist and live with equality, respect and safety.

“It is deeply concerning that these changes could be the basis of Labor introducing their version of the Morrison-era Religious Discrimination Bill next year. Such a Bill could well permit, in law, vilification against LGBTIQA+ people and several other cohorts under the guise of religious freedom. 

“I condemn Labor’s removal of these commitments in their new National Platform in the strongest possible terms. Our LGBTIQA+ community in Australia deserves better than Labor’s erasure of our identities and our struggles.

“This draft platform suggests that the Greens are the only party truly committed to LGBTIQA+ rights.

“LGBTIQA+ rights are non-negotiable. The Greens will always stand in solidarity against hatred and bigotry. We deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued, living our lives treated as equals and free from discrimination.”

Netflix Australia has announced that they made more than $1 billion in revenue in the last year. Their huge revenue and market dominance demonstrates the need for the implementation of local content quotas.

Greens Communications spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Another global tech giant making billions of dollars off the back of Australian households, its time they started giving back – clearly they afford it!
 
“We need laws fixed so some of the massive profits these tech giants make are invested back into the local industry, supporting local jobs and content.
 
“Today, Netflix has confirmed what we have long suspected; they are making huge profits off Aussie subscribers, and almost all of the revenue is sent overseas. 
 
“The money spent by Australian consumers should be invested back into quality Australian content. As more and more of us choose to watch our content online, it is essential that we see our communities, culture and stories reflected back to us.
 
“We need quotas on streaming services like Netflix now. The Government has been promising to bring legislation on this for the past year.
 
“The Greens want to see a 20 per cent of local revenue quota implemented with sub quotas for children’s programming, drama and documentary and appropriate intellectual property protections for local creators.”

The country is going troppo over the fact the Reserve Bank Governor presented himself to Senate Estimates this week and offered solutions to the rental crisis, including suggesting kids keep living with their parents to avoid exorbitant rent.

We bet everyone is thrilled that a line from the country’s top economic manager to solve the rental crisis is, in effect, moving back home to mooch off Mum and Dad. Just thrilled. 

What mainstream media won’t ever report on, let alone the radical left concede, is that the RBA Governor wouldn’t even present himself to estimates were it not for the work of Senator Malcolm Roberts.

In those early days after One Nation burst back onto the national scene, it was the unrelenting work of Malcolm Roberts in Senate Estimates that forced the RBA to admit the government was printing money in ever-increasing amounts.

The RBA declared that being accountable to parliament was beneath them, but Senator Roberts insisted on asking the RBA questions.

Of course, the mainstream media just reported that Roberts’ questions were quirky, and boldly stated the RBA governor would never do such a thing as ‘print money’. 

We are now in the inflationary spiral we are in because of rampant RBA money printing, as first exposed by Senator Roberts.  

But that’s not the only top brass having the grilling of their lives this week. 

General Angus Campbell, chief of the defence force, had warned a small group of serving and retired ADF members that their medals could be removed over apparent “command accountability” failures when alleged war crimes occurred.

The Australian Defence Force chief was grilled in parliament by Senator Roberts over moves to revoke the military honours from some soldiers who served in Afghanistan, with the senator suggesting General Campbell should “surrender” his own medal.

Turns out General Angus was a commanding officer of the same troops he is threatening to remove the medals from, but has decided, on his own investigation, that he was a goodie and the baddie troops were the ones who should have their medals stripped.

Through the hard work of Senator Roberts, we think General Campbell and the RBA Governor are about to learn that Australians have little tolerance for lofty tall poppies who are driven in tax-payer limousines and fed off silver plates, while the rest of us are left to endure their banal and frankly arrogant decisions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met today with Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai in Singapore for the 8th Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Meeting.

Australia and Singapore are close friends and long-term strategic and economic partners, with an enduring relationship that has evolved to meet the shared opportunities and challenges facing our region.

Leaders discussed Australia and Singapore’s perspectives on the regional strategic outlook, the deep and abiding defence relationship, expanding trade and investment ties and growing cooperation on food and energy security.   

Leaders also discussed the significant progress made under the landmark Green Economy Agreement, which is paving the way for Australia and Singapore to take ambitious climate action while seizing the economic opportunities of the net zero transition. Australia is committed to remaining a reliable energy supplier to Singapore during this transition.

Singapore is the gateway to Asia and has a unique ability to promote innovative and sustainable ways to trade. Leaders agreed to establish a green and digital shipping corridor by 2025. This will bring together ports, maritime and energy operators with regulators to develop low and zero-carbon supply chains, green port services and shipping operations, and accelerate the development and uptake of green marine fuel.

A new $20 million Go-Green Co-Innovation program will fund Australian and Singaporean small and medium businesses to develop innovative decarbonisation solutions. In addition, grants will be available to mobilise private capital to support climate action, the clean energy transition, and strengthen climate resilience in developing markets in Asia. The first grant round for this new program will open later this year.

The Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister discussed work underway to finalise the Australia Singapore Food Pact as announced last year. This pact, which leaders agreed to finalise by next year’s Leaders Meeting, will support food security, increase bilateral trade and stimulate Singaporean investment into Australia by harmonising regulations, coordinating trade pathways and encouraging research and industry development. There is a strong future for Australian food exports to and through Singapore, and the Albanese Government is making sure Australian farmers and exporters are best placed to seize these opportunities.

While in Singapore, the Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address to the Shangri-La Dialogue, setting out Australia’s vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Convened by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Dialogue is the premier regional forum for senior government and thought leaders discuss regional security dynamics and challenges. The Prime Minister is honoured to have been invited to make the key-note address at this year’s Dialogue.

“We are ambitious for what we can achieve together on the path to net zero, pushing boundaries and setting new standards to drive green trade and investment.

“My visit to Singapore was an opportunity to look ahead with ambition for the next phase of this important relationship.

“Southeast Asia and ASEAN matters to Australia – that’s why I’m here this week. We are tied together by more than geography – we are linked by family, friends, business, education, tourism and a shared interest in the stability of the region into the future.

“I look forward to outlining Australia’s commitment to a better future for our region at the Shangri-La Dialogue this evening.”

1. Acting Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Lawrence Wong and Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP met for the 8th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Singapore on 2 June 2023. The Leaders reaffirmed the longstanding and close partnership between Singapore and Australia, anchored on mutual trust, respect, and shared strategic perspectives. They welcomed the robust and multifaceted cooperation under the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) which has served as a constructive and forward-looking framework that has delivered more than 110 joint initiatives across its six pillars of cooperation: economics, trade and investment; foreign affairs, defence and security; science and innovation; people-to-people links; digital economy; and green economy. The Leaders committed to continue strengthening the CSP which has enabled both countries to be pathfinders in frontier areas of cooperation such as the digital and green economies.
2. The Leaders acknowledged the swift implementation of the landmark Green Economy Agreement (GEA) since its signing during the last Annual Leaders’ Meeting in October 2022 and noted the good progress made on key initiatives. Under the GEA, the Leaders:
   
   a) Launched the joint A$20 million Go-Green Co-Innovation Program, to provide grants over a four-year period to drive co-innovation between Singaporean and Australian small and medium enterprises to develop green products and services, and noted the program’s commencement with business matching activities in the lead up to grant applications opening later in 2023;
   
   b) Agreed to establish a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) by the end of 2025 to help decarbonise and digitalise the port and shipping industry, including through establishing low and zero-carbon fuel supply chains and digital solutions to facilitate paperless handling between the ports of Singapore and Australia. Arrangements overseeing the establishment of the GDSC will be outlined by our lead authorities in a separate Memorandum of Understanding;
   
   c) Announced the launch of the S$5 million Convergence Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant, to support the design and launch of innovative blended finance solutions that mobilise private capital to sectors critical for climate transition and resilience in Asia, such as clean energy, sustainable cities and infrastructure, and nature-based solutions. The grant has secured funding commitments from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Olayan Group, and UBS Optimus Foundation; and
   
   d) Welcomed progress across other GEA areas of cooperation including work to develop skills and capabilities in the green economy workforce, build the architecture to support cross border electricity trade and promote eco-labelling.
3. The Leaders reaffirmed their support for the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, which provides the predictability and stability our region relies on for growth and development. They committed to continue to work together to strengthen and reform the WTO, including the dispute settlement system. The Leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining open and predictable trade links and developing resilient global supply chains for mutual prosperity and growth in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
4. The Leaders noted the good progress made by the bilateral Supply Chains Working Group established in September 2022 in strengthening cooperation in the areas of food, energy security, as well as connectivity and crisis response. Following their agreement at the last Annual Leaders’ Meeting to begin work on a bilateral Food Pact, the Leaders welcomed the finalisation of the guiding principles and workplan for the Food Pact. They welcomed cooperation between the Singapore Food Agency and Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to improve transshipment flows for Australian food and food products through Singapore to the wider region. They were pleased to note the food sourcing mission from Singapore to Australia in May 2023 for Singapore importers to connect with Australian meat producers. The Leaders also acknowledged the progress on long-term commercial partnerships for import of chilled chicken from Australia to Singapore. The Leaders looked forward to working collaboratively under the Food Pact to continue to increase the trade of food products.
5. Acting Prime Minister Wong welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s assurances that Australia is committed to remaining a reliable supplier of energy to Singapore, including gas, as we all transition to a net zero world. The Leaders further agreed that Singapore and Australia should explore ways to expand collaboration on energy security and clean energy development. The Leaders looked forward to further discussions to strengthen cooperation on connectivity and crisis response to secure open and connected supply chains and strengthen linkages to the rest of the world.
6. The Leaders underscored the value of the longstanding defence and security cooperation between Singapore and Australia which has deepened under the CSP and contributes to a stable and peaceful region. The Leaders acknowledged continued progress on the joint development of the training areas under the Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development signed in March 2020 and looked forward to the timely completion of works at Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Greenvale Training Area. The Leaders welcomed further opportunities to expand Singapore’s training in Australia.
7. The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements which has served as a constructive platform for defence cooperation in the region for more than 50 years. Prime Minister Albanese thanked Acting Prime Minister Wong for Singapore’s continued support for Australian aircraft and ships in the region, and for its offer for Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines to conduct port visits, once delivered. They looked forward to commemorating the 30th and 25th anniversaries of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s training at Pearce and Oakey respectively this year. On security cooperation, the Leaders noted the strong ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security, border security, and emergency management.
8. The Leaders noted the strong science and innovation collaboration between both countries. They welcomed closer R&D cooperation in areas such as food innovation and digital technologies, including through the Master Research Collaboration Agreement between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under which a new five-year Research-Industry “2+2” Partnership is being implemented. They acknowledged progress under the Synchrotron Access Agreement between the National University of Singapore and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The Leaders acknowledged that exploring feasible forms of low emissions solutions and clean energy is crucial to mitigate the shared existential threat of climate change. They further welcomed the joint exploratory projects on the export of low carbon hydrogen and renewable electricity, co-design of an Australia-Singapore low emissions technology initiative for the ports and maritime sector, as well as carbon capture and storage under the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Low-Emissions Solutions signed in October 2020.
9. The Leaders underlined that strong people-to-people ties is a hallmark of the bilateral relationship. They noted that cooperation on arts and culture has continued to grow and strengthen with a focus on creative collaboration, cultural exchange and skills development. The Leaders acknowledged the extension of the Australia-Singapore Arts Group (ASAG) for a second term until 2025 to facilitate the continued promotion of capability development, skills exchanges and joint project development between artists and cultural institutions on both sides, with a stronger focus on expanding collaborations with regional partners. The Leaders welcomed the commitment to develop a Memorandum of Understanding between the Singapore National Arts Council and the Australia Council for the Arts (soon to be Creative Australia) to foster greater cultural and artistic exchanges to be finalised in August 2023.
10. The Leaders affirmed that the CSP has been instrumental in strengthening familiarity and trust, deepening existing areas of cooperation, and catalysing new collaborations between the two countries over the past decade. As the CSP approaches its 10th anniversary in 2025, the Leaders agreed that bilateral cooperation under the next phase of the CSP should be ambitious, strategic and dynamic, and looked forward to the charting of the agenda for the next chapter of Singapore-Australia relations.   
11. The Leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments. They reaffirmed the central role of ASEAN and the ASEAN-led regional architecture and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to support practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, including through the ambitious ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Leaders agreed that through the CSP, Australia would work with ASEAN to strengthen cooperation on key and emerging areas such as the digital and green economies, and energy security. Acting Prime Minister Wong looked forward to Australia’s hosting of a Special Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations on 4-6 March 2024. The Leaders looked forward to working together to support Timor-Leste to build capacity in line with the objective, criteria-based ASEAN roadmap for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN adopted at the 42nd ASEAN Summit last month. The Leaders welcomed the Upgrade of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and were pleased to note the progress made on implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Acting Prime Minister Wong welcomed Australia’s continued commitment to deepen its economic engagement with Southeast Asia, including through Australia’s forthcoming Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 led by Special Envoy Nicholas Moore. The Leaders committed to ongoing cooperation on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to preserve and advance its high standards and consensus-based approach.
12. The Leaders discussed the importance of working closely with partners in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region to ensure the region remains open, stable and prosperous. They welcomed the Quad’s support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, including the Quad’s agenda to support Indo-Pacific countries’ priorities and needs.
13. The Leaders acknowledged that Australia and Singapore faced an era of heightened geostrategic uncertainty and threats to the international rules-based order. They underlined the importance of an open, inclusive, rules-based and resilient Indo-Pacific region, which supports and promotes free trade and open markets and respects the rights of countries to lead their national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion. They noted the importance of working together to promote peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, reiterated their opposition to unilateral actions that change the status quo, and emphasised the importance of diplomacy to avoid the risks of miscalculation. The Leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintain and promote security and stability in the South China Sea and underscored their strong support for freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded trade, and emphasised the need for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They emphasised the primacy of UNCLOS, which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. They committed to working with partners to support States to uphold their obligations under UNCLOS. The Leaders noted work towards a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and emphasised the importance of the Code being consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS, and not prejudicial to the legitimate rights of all States under the UNCLOS. They welcomed the conclusion of the high seas treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and acknowledged Singapore’s leading role as President and Australia’s constructive engagement.
14. The Leaders noted with deep concern the worsening humanitarian, security and economic situation in Myanmar, including the military’s increasing use of violence against civilians and recent air strikes carried out by the Myanmar Armed Forces. They strongly condemned the attack on the ASEAN humanitarian convoy in Shan State in May 2023, and urged the regime to allow safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance. The Leaders called for the release of those unjustly detained. They also urged the Myanmar military regime to end violence, engage in inclusive dialogue, and facilitate humanitarian assistance, in line with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus. They reaffirmed the importance of working together to contribute to ASEAN’s efforts, including those of Indonesia as ASEAN Chair, to facilitate peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar. They also reaffirmed the important roles of the UN, ASEAN, and other partners in facilitating a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Myanmar.
15. The Leaders strongly condemned Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine which is a gross violation of the principles of the UN Charter and of international law. The sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. Consistent with UN General Assembly Resolution No. A/RES/ES-11/6 dated 23 February 2023, the Leaders called for Russia’s immediate withdrawal of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine, as part of delivering a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. Aside from terrible damage and loss of life in Ukraine, the war is also compounding human suffering and exacerbating the global crisis in food and energy security, including in the Indo-Pacific.
16. The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and to strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as its cornerstone. The Leaders concurred that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is serious and inadmissible and called for urgent implementation of nuclear risk reduction measures. As the leaders of the five Nuclear-Weapon States themselves declared on 3 January 2022, “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”.
17. The Leaders looked forward to the next Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Australia in 2024.