Australia and Singapore have come to an agreement to step up “our security cooperation to enhance defence cooperation and we will improve our military is reciprocal access to facilities and deepen cooperation in defence technology, logistics and supply chains”.

How is that going to work?

Lawrence Wong:

On defence co-operation, we see Australia as a resident power in Asia. Your continued presence in this part of the world contributes to stability, security, for all the countries in Asia. That’s why we already have a strong defence partnership, but we are enhancing it further and providing more support and enhanced access to Singapore’s air bases.

This will enable Australia to deploy more of its forces in our part of the world. We are working out the details of what this will entail, but clearly it will mean stronger facilitation for Australia to participate in Asia, for Australia to expand its security presence in South-East Asia and the region more generally: We believe this will be critical and important for Asia’s stability and security.

Anthony Albanese:

Can I thank Prime Minister Wong for the engagement in defence but also on green energy. On defence, the Wallaby exercises are taking place as we speak. The enhanced availability of Singapore’s ports and air access is obviously important for Australia to have that presence in South-East Asia in that region and it is a logical next step and I thank Singapore for that. On the green economy. The green economy agreement between Australia and Singapore is one of the world’s first. We are further enhancing it. Singapore is doing extraordinary work as well in creating a grid in its region. That is something this morning we had really constructive discussions with the Singaporean minister and the Australian minister going forward. I’m sure that part of what we need to do with the challenge of climate change that both of us understand is real and needs action is we need more co-operative action towards our common goal which is reducing emissions to reduce the impact of climate change.