6 December 2024: The Week in Australian Foreign Affairs

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles, Wong, and Farrell in Singapore for the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee; Marles and Wong in Auckland for ANZMIN; Wong in Malaysia for Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and more.
On 3 December, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State Don Farrell, and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Minister for Small Business Julie Collins to announce that the final Chinese trade impediments on red meat establishments were lifted. The remaining suspensions on two Australian meat processing establishments have led to the full resumption of red meat exports to China. Already, forecasts are announcing that Australia’s red meat exports are set to break records in 2024–25. “Red meat exports are forecast to push the overall value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry to $94.3 billion, the second highest on record, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.”
This week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles joined Wong and Farrell in Singapore for the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee and will meet with Singaporean counterparts for the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC). While there, the ministers will also meet Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Wong, and conduct separate bilateral meetings. The Deputy Prime Minister will meet with his counterpart, Dr Ng Eng Hen, the Foreign Minister will meet with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and the Minister for Trade will meet with counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong. At the joint press conference on 3 December, both nations publicly reaffirmed their deep strategic trust and commitment to advancing their partnership across various domains, including defence, trade, energy, and multilateral cooperation. Discussions centred on updating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) for 2025–2035, emphasising ambition in areas such as food security, net-zero transitions, and enhanced defence collaboration. Marles highlighted the shared values underpinning this enduring relationship, stating, “In a complex world, this is a moment to double down with friends, and that is the description of Australia and Singapore.” Wong added, “Our history and geography ground a reservoir of strategic trust, and we are determined to ensure the next CSP iteration reflects both our shared history and ambitions for the future.”
On 5 December, Marles and Wong visited Auckland, New Zealand, for the Australia/New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Consultations (ANZMIN), where they met their respective counterparts. According to the media release, “Australia and New Zealand have a uniquely close relationship. Trans-Tasman cooperation has never been stronger, with close alignment in our strategic, foreign and trade interests and deep links between our people. ANZMIN is an important opportunity to strengthen our partnership and discuss evolving international and regional security and strategic issues.” More information on the meeting is expected in the coming days.
Wong has had a busy week. On 4 December, the Foreign Minister travelled to Malaysia for the annual Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. While there, she discussed economic, defence, security and cultural ties with Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan. Wong also met with Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. A new Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) Southeast Asia Maritime Institute was launched by Wong. “The Institute will focus on research, education and training in ocean law and policy, maritime security and marine resources management.” At a joint press conference, both sides highlighted the significant progress made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), emphasising deepened cooperation across economic, societal, technological, and security domains. Key developments included ongoing negotiations on new MoUs for immigration, education, and maritime enforcement, alongside advancements in green energy collaboration, digital economy initiatives, and vaccine manufacturing. Both nations celebrated agreements under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), including those on supply chains and clean energy, while reaffirming their commitment to regional stability, including the South China Sea and Myanmar. Existing frameworks, such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements and Operation REDBACK, were commended, with plans to expand maritime and cyber cooperation. Both Ministers reiterated their shared goals of regional peace, energy transition, and economic integration. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Wong joined Farrell again on 3 December to announce Australia’s first investment under the Australian Government’s $2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility. Australia has approved a $75 million (US$50 million) equity investment in the Singapore Government’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) initiative, which aims to support the region’s clean energy transition. The investment is considered “a major step forward in the government’s implementation of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. It demonstrates our commitment to practical action that benefits Australia and the region.” Such deals are expected to “spur increased opportunities for Australian businesses to engage in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy transition,” while also contributing to “bridging critical gaps in Southeast Asia’s sustainable infrastructure financing, including in areas like renewable energy and storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, sustainable transport, and water and waste management.”
On 1 December 2024, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts announced he would visit Egypt, Mauritius, the UAE, and Bahrain to advance Australia’s interests in peace, humanitarian assistance, and economic collaboration. In Cairo, he will attend the Ministerial Conference to Enhance the Humanitarian Response in Gaza, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to supporting civilian protection and aid delivery. In Mauritius, he will discuss shared priorities such as maritime security and environmental sustainability. In the UAE, Watts will work to expand economic ties following the signing of the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, stating, “This partnership opens new doors for Australian businesses in a critical region.” At the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Watts will address foreign policy and security challenges, emphasising that “Australia remains committed to upholding international law and working toward peace in the Middle East.”
Dr Adam Bartley is the managing editor for AIIA’s Australian Outlook and weekly columnist for The Week in Australian Foreign Affairs. He is a former Fulbright Scholar and non-resident fellow at the Elliot School for International Affairs, the George Washington University. Adam also has positions as post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation RMIT University and as program manager of the AI Trilateral Experts Group. He can be found on Twitter here.
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