This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese’s Press Club address, Wong co-chairs Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in Canberra, new Pacific Engagement Visa, Marles visits the Philippines and Thailand, and more.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the National Press Club on 22 February. He discussed the Defence Strategic Review, which he and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles received last week, and confirmed that “before the Budget in May, we will be releasing an unclassified version of the report – as well as providing our final response.” Albanese also reiterated his comments prior to the May 2022 election, that “our Government will ensure that Defence has the resources it needs to defend our nation and deter potential aggressors.” He discussed the AUKUS trilateral partnership and referred to it as being “about much more than nuclear submarines, or even technological inter-operability” and that it “formalises the common values and the shared interest that our three nations have in preserving peace and upholding the rules and institutions that secure our region and our world.” Albanese emphasised that “Australia’s international engagement is an essential part of our Government’s approach to national security” and that “we work with our Pacific neighbours as partners and equals, with a shared interest and a shared responsibility to build a more secure and peaceful and prosperous region.” He flagged that he expects “to sign our bilateral security agreement with Papua New Guinea and ratify our newly-signed Bilateral Security Agreement with Vanuatu … in the months ahead.” Moreover, Albanese stated that “we are seeking to build security in the Indo-Pacific, not from it” and congratulated Penny Wong for her work in “demonstrating that Australia is back at the table; as a supporter of the rules-based order, as a constructive member of multilateral forums and as a trusted partner for regional co-operation and bilateral negotiations.”

On 17 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong co-chaired the 29^th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Canberra, alongside her counterpart from Papua New Guinea, Justin Tkatchenko. Ahead of the Forum, Wong noted that “as neighbours, friends and equals, the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea is profoundly important to both countries” and that she “look[ed] forward to working with Minister Tkatchenko and other Ministers to advance our modern partnership at the Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum.” Nine Australian Ministers including Marles, Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher, Minister for Trade Don Farrell, Minister for International Development Pat Conroy, and Assistant Minister for Trade Tim Ayres attended the Forum, along with sixteen of their Papua New Guinea counterparts. The Ministers “renewed their commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP)” and “undertook to implement this partnership through coordinated, deeper sectoral engagement led by Ministers from each side, and to take forward the outcomes and commitments arising from the 2023 Annual Leaders Dialogue.” They also reflected on “the deep historical and familial connections which have brought the nations together in a unique partnership” and “committed to ensuring that this partnership of equal and sovereign neighbours grows to reflect contemporary opportunities and challenges.” Moreover, they “welcomed progress made in discussing the scope, purpose and structure of a broad Bilateral Security Treaty” and “the need for consideration of domestic legal and constitutional aspects to enable a treaty to come into effect” and agreed to establish a joint ministerial working group “to oversee deepening cooperation in these areas.” Finally, the Ministers reflected on the progress made under each of the six CSEP Pillars: “Strong Democracies for a Stable Future”, “Close Friends, Enduring Ties”, “Economic Partnership for Prosperity”, “Strategic Cooperation for Security and Stability”, “Social and Human Development”, and “Near Neighbours, Global Partners.”

Wong announced on 20 February that this week she is travelling to the Republic of Kiribati on her first visit there as Foreign Minister, as well as the Republic of Fiji to represent Albanese at the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ Meeting. While in Kirabati, Wong will meet with President Taneti Maamau and cabinet ministers, and will “build on our discussions about Kiribati’s strategic, economic and development priorities and ways to take meaningful action on climate change together.” In Fiji, she will meet with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and members of his government “to discuss how we can enhance and grow our important Vuvale Partnership.” Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ Meeting, Wong noted that she is “keen to hear from leaders about how we can work together to tackle the climate crisis, strengthen our economies post-pandemic, and achieve our shared interests in a peaceful and secure region.”

On 23 February, Wong and Conroy issued a joint statement noting that Australia will “invest in high-quality health programs across the Pacific and Southeast Asia as part of the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, a new five-year program to improve health outcomes and promote regional prosperity and stability.” The Government will also fund “the research and development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for diseases that affect the Pacific and Southeast Asia” and will “expand regional health assistance provided by key Australian Government agencies and extend partnerships with international and regional agencies supporting health systems in our region.” Wong noted that “COVID-19 has reversed health and development gains in our region, and Australia is working with partners to restore their health systems and build on investments made during the acute phase of the pandemic” and that “improving the health and wellbeing of communities across the Pacific and Southeast Asia is critical to ensuring our region’s security, prosperity and stability.”

Wong announced on 21 February the launch of the inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants round, to be administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, “to support greater exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian creative industries.” The program “will foster on-going relationships between Australian and Indian artists, performers and cultural organisations to deepen understanding and connections between our two countries.” The grant round is divided into three programs, supporting “major Australian cultural organisations to engage Indian and partner institutions”, “cultural collaboration that supports First Nations’ participation”, and “small to medium sized Australian cultural organisations and community groups engagement.”

On 17 February, Wong issued a joint statement with Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt, noting that “a team of Australian disaster experts will be sent to New Zealand to assist with the response and recovery in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.” Wong noted that “our close relationship with New Zealand has meant we have been able to mobilise assistance quickly in response to this disaster” and that “whether it be as far away as Türkiye or as close as New Zealand, we stand ready to do our part to help our international counterparts in times of distress.” Watt stated that “our neighbours have been there for us, and we are more than willing to return the favour in their hour of need.”

Wong, alongside Conroy and Minister for Immigration Andrew Giles, announced on 16 February that a new Pacific Engagement Visa “will allow up to 3,000 nationals of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year.” They noted that “boosting Pacific permanent migration to Australia is an essential part of the Government’s plan to build a stronger Pacific family” and that the announcement is “a major step towards delivering on [the Albanese Government’s] commitment to strengthen Australian ties with the Pacific family.” The Ministers also noted that the Visa “is being designed in close consultation with Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, to ensure the program meets shared needs and priorities.” Wong stated that “the Government is committed to making a uniquely Australian contribution as partner of choice for the countries of the Pacific – demonstrating we are reliable, we turn up, show respect, listen, and are transparent and open.”

This week, Marles travelled to the Philippines and Thailand “to deepen Australia’s engagement with [both countries], including through our important cooperation on defence and security.” He noted that Australia and the Philippines “are committed to elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership, as agreed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last November.” While in the Philippines, Marles met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense Carlito G. Galvez Jr., and “other senior government representatives to discuss the already deep ties between the two countries, including our defence forces.” In Bangkok, Marles will meet with Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to further the “long-standing partnership” between the two nations.

From 17 to 23 February, Conroy visited Germany and the United Kingdom. In Germany, he represented Australia at the 59^th Munich Security Conference, “Europe’s leading global security forum”, where he held “high-level talks with counterparts and defence industry representatives.” In the United Kingdom, Conroy had “a series of high-level bilateral engagements across his portfolios”, including with Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk, and Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan. He also visited the BAE Shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness and was briefed “about the UK approach to developing the industrial base and workforce needed for the construction of nuclear-powered submarines.”

This week, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts travelled to Ethiopia and Kenya “to strengthen Australia’s partnerships and our cooperation with the African Union.” In Ethiopia, Watts will “discuss the progress of peace and stability in Ethiopia, regional security, and trade and investment opportunities” and will meet with delegations to the African Union Summit, noting that he is the first Australian minister to do so since 2017. He stated that he will “advocate for our interests, including our shared interest in a rules-based international system that benefits all countries.” While in Kenya, Watts will meet with Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr Alfred Mutua, and other government ministers, business stakeholders and community leaders. He noted that he “look[s] forward to identifying how we can continue to grow [Australia’s] links [with Kenya] and also strengthen our work together to address climate change and its devastating impacts.”

Isabella Keith is a weekly columnist for Australian Outlook. She is also a Research Assistant, Sessional Academic, and Honours student in Law at the Australian National University, with a focus on international law. Isabella attended the AIIA #NextGen study tour to South Korea last year, and was also a delegate to the AIIA’s Australia-Korea-New Zealand and Australia-United States-Japan Policy Forums.

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