Press Statements
15th Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee Adelaide, 27 July 2026
Country
Australia
27 July 2026
15th Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee Adelaide, 27 July 2026
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State Don Farrell for the 15th meeting of the SAJMC in Adelaide.
The Ministers reaffirmed the excellent state of bilateral relations, underpinned by strategic convergence and economic complementarities between Singapore and Australia. The Ministers noted the good progress across the five pillars of the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP 2.0): (a) contributing to peace and stability, at home and in our region; (b) connecting our economies; (c) transitioning to net-zero; (d) forging new frontiers; and (e) deepening friendships and capabilities.
Both sides signed the Protocol to the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies. The Protocol reflects Singapore’s and Australia’s commitment to supply chain resilience and the priority that both countries accord to each other with respect to trade in essential supplies. Both sides also signed the Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement (IBRA) which provides a practical framework for Singapore and Australia to strengthen defence industrial cooperation. The Ministers agreed that Singapore and Australia would deepen cooperation in emerging areas including AI, clean and renewable energy, and subsea cables.
The Ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to uphold ASEAN Centrality and continue working together to support the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, including during Singapore’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2027.
Following the 15th SAJMC meeting, the Ministers issued a Joint Communique on the key outcomes. The full text of the Joint Communique is appended. The transcript of the Joint Press Conference is also appended.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
27 JULY 2026
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JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE
15TH SINGAPORE-AUSTRALIA JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
27 JULY 2026
The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Defence
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry)
1 Ministers from Australia and Singapore met in Adelaide for the 15th Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) on 27 July 2026. Ministers noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the SAJMC mechanism. Ministers reaffirmed the strong and longstanding friendship and deep reservoir of strategic trust between Singapore and Australia, underpinned by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP 2.0) signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on 8 October 2025, which reflects shared interests, deep economic integration, and enduring people-to-people ties.
2 Ministers welcomed the strong early progress in this ten-year phase of cooperation under the CSP 2.0 since its launch. Ministers noted that cooperation across its five pillars: Contributing to Peace and Stability, At Home and In Our Region; Connecting Our Economies; Transitioning to Net-Zero; Forging New Frontiers; and Deepening Friendships and Capabilities – will prepare our economies and societies for challenges and opportunities now and in the future and continue to generate practical outcomes.
Bilateral Cooperation:
3 Our CSP 2.0 reflects the strength and strategic trust that characterises our relationship. It sets out the ambitious next phase of cooperation and underpins our shared prosperity, security and stability as we navigate emerging and evolving issues together.
Connecting Our Economies
4 Australia and Singapore share robust and dynamic trade and investment links, and complementary and interdependent economies. Singapore serves as a key gateway to Southeast Asia, while Australia remains a major economic partner for Singapore. We recognise the important role our countries play in each other’s economic prosperity and resilience, food and energy security and supply chains. In this context, we will review the Singapore-Australia Air Services Agreement to enhance connectivity and business exchanges between the two countries.
5 In an increasingly uncertain global environment, Ministers underscored the importance of coordination and cooperation to strengthen economic resilience and mitigate shared risks. The Ministers recognised the important role Australia and Singapore play in each other’s energy security; Singapore is Australia’s largest supplier of refined petroleum products, and Australia is one of Singapore’s largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas. Australia and Singapore are committed to working together to strengthen energy supply chain resilience including through accelerating renewable energy transition. Ministers underscored their shared commitment to working together, particularly during crises, to support a resilient, rules-based trade in energy products, through enhanced coordination, transparency, and early consultation.
6 Ministers welcomed the signing of the Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies (‘the Protocol’) to the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), which reflects the priority we accord each other with respect to trade in essential supplies. Ministers noted that the Protocol enhances cooperation on economic resilience and secure the trade in essential supplies between the Parties during times of supply chain disruptions. They reaffirmed that the Protocol was guided by the principles of an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.
7 Ministers highlighted the importance of structured dialogue in responding to shared economic challenges. Ministers welcomed the establishment of the Australia-Singapore Economic Resilience Dialogue under the Protocol and instructed officials to host the Dialogue before the end of the year. The Ministers were pleased to note continuing collaboration on food security under the bilateral Food Pact, including progressing finalisation of a Simplified Transhipment Model for red meat.
8 Ministers welcomed Australia’s commitment to enhancing business connections, trade and investment in Southeast Asia including through Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and the Future Made in Australia agenda, as well as efforts to leverage Singapore’s connectivity and ties with Southeast Asia and Asia. The Ministers recognised the importance of investment in accelerating the region’s clean energy transition, and Singapore welcomed Australia’s investment of AUD 175 million into Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership initiative. They noted Australia’s Investment Deals Team is supporting a range of Australian investors in the region.
9 Ministers recognised the importance of submarine cables to digital connectivity and economic growth. They welcomed ongoing bilateral collaboration to promote submarine cable resilience and protection in the region, and encouraged the adoption of submarine cable best practices (such as the Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables), including the workshop that was co-organised by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority and Australia’s Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre for ASEAN member states on best practice undersea cables management on 23-24 June 2026 in Singapore.
Transitioning to Net-Zero
10 The global clean energy transition presents both a shared challenge and an opportunity for deeper cooperation. Singapore and Australia are united in our commitment towards net-zero and our role in accelerating the region’s clean energy transition.
11 Ministers recognised the ongoing implementation of the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement (SAGEA), which continues to facilitate practical initiatives to support both countries’ transition to net zero. They noted the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) work underway and called on officials, designated port authorities and action partners to actively progress GDSC trials and pilots that enable the maritime sector to establish credible decarbonisation pathways. Ministers also noted the ongoing collaboration to co-innovate products, services and solutions that drive trade and shape markets for nascent green industry sectors. They welcomed the further development of the joint grant program supporting this collaboration between Singapore and Australian businesses.
12 Recognising their shared commitment to strengthening regional energy security, Ministers welcomed the inaugural Ministerial Dialogue on Energy to be held on 28 July 2026 between Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), Dr Tan See Leng. Ministers looked forward to building on the momentum of the inaugural Dialogue to chart the next steps in bilateral energy cooperation.
13 Ministers reaffirmed the importance of accelerating regional decarbonisation efforts. Ministers welcomed progress towards a legally binding bilateral instrument for the cross-border movement of carbon dioxide for offshore geological sequestration, with formal negotiations underway. Both sides look forward to concluding the agreement soon.
14 Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to collaborate on regional efforts to enhance grid interconnectivity, in line with the bilateral Cross-Border Electricity Trade Framework, which supports the development of a regional architecture for cross-border electricity trade. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy and support energy security in Southeast Asia and facilitate new trade and investment opportunities in these areas.
Contributing to Peace and Stability, At Home and In Our Region
15 Ministers underscored the importance of longstanding and close defence and security cooperation between Singapore and Australia, and reiterated their commitment to further deepen our defence and security partnership under the CSP 2.0. The Ministers noted that Singapore and Australia’s strong defence partnership contributes to a stable and peaceful region. Ministers welcomed progress and committed to strengthening arrangements to enhance our militaries’ reciprocal access and rotational presence in Australia and Singapore, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Enhanced Defence Cooperation (eDC MoU) signed in October 2025.
16 Ministers acknowledged Singapore’s longstanding and continuing support for Australian aircraft, ships and personnel’s access in and through Singapore since 1971, and Australia’s five decades of support for the Singapore Armed Forces’ training and rotational presence in Australia. Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment and contributions to the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, which are critical to a stable and secure region.
17 They commended efforts to deepen defence science and technology collaboration, including through joint experimentation at Exercise Trident 2026, and science and technology cooperation in areas of mutual interest under the Joint Strategic Statement of Intent on Science & Technology Cooperation. Ministers noted the expanded professional defence exchanges and collaboration.
18 Ministers also welcomed the signing of the Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement (IBRA), which will be a valuable tool to support our shared commitment to closer defence industrial collaboration.
19 Ministers emphasised the importance of practical cooperation in border management and law enforcement to address transnational challenges. Recalling the Border of the Future Partnership, Ministers were pleased to note the completion of a training program for Southeast Asia customs agency officers delivered by Australian Border Force (ABF) and Singapore Customs officers. Ministers welcomed the deepening of discussions between ABF and the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on ways to further enhance operational cooperation at the border and to improve border security. They recognised the successful Home Team Science and Technology Agency and Australian Federal Police Forensics Working Group meeting held in March 2026 and welcomed the upcoming meeting in August 2026.
20 Ministers recognised the value of knowledge sharing to strengthen and support first responder agencies in radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness and response. They acknowledged the inclusion of Home Team Science and Technology Agency members at an Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) course in March 2026 and noted the ongoing discussion for a collaborative workshop in Singapore.
21 Ministers underscored the importance of continuing to strengthen cooperation to address evolving security challenges and to secure a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. They noted that Singapore would host the 2nd Security Dialogue in October 2026. Ministers emphasised the importance of preventing conflict in the Indo-Pacific and underscored that all states have a shared responsibility in maintaining the conditions for peace and averting conflict. Amid entrenched strategic competition, Ministers recognised the increasing risk of conflict, including as a result of misunderstanding or miscalculation. They reiterated the need to promote open channels of communication, transparency and practical measures to reduce risks of escalation, crisis and conflict. They reaffirmed a commitment to work collaboratively to support a peaceful, stable and secure region, including ensuring ASEAN remains a vital and credible anchor for regional peace and prosperity. To this end, Ministers acknowledged work underway to strengthen collaboration on conflict prevention, including through capacity-building workshops and exchanges, and the promotion of open channels of communication to engender trust, encourage dialogue and maintain the conditions for peace and stability. The Ministers looked forward to further progress on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to facilitate government-to-government assistance in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
22 In this digitised age, Ministers highlighted the importance of promoting resilient, healthy, and fact-based information environments to counter misinformation, disinformation and foreign interference campaigns, and to protect institutional integrity. Ministers looked forward to the convening of the inaugural Strategic Communications Dialogue in Singapore in August to discuss common challenges and support domestic social cohesion and regional stability.
Forging New Frontiers
23 Ministers recognised the importance of innovation to create modern and dynamic economies. They reflected on the commitment under the CSP 2.0 to collaborate in future frontier domains, to develop innovative, and future-oriented solutions in emerging areas, including digital and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and welcomed progress made in 2026. Practical approaches on AI will realise the economic opportunities of emerging technologies and shape the development of international standards and governance frameworks, promoting safe, secure and trustworthy AI adoption in the region. Ministers were pleased to note progress in strengthening bilateral cooperation through the inaugural Cyber and Digital Dialogue, to be held between senior officials in Australia on 30 July to pursue objectives outlined in the bilateral MoU on cooperation on AI. They also welcomed continued cooperation on online safety to safeguard our peoples in an increasingly digital society.
24 Ministers emphasised that cybersecurity cooperation is increasingly critical to national security, regional and international stability, in a digital economy. Ministers welcomed the renewal of the MoU on Cyber Security Cooperation signed on 24 February 2026. The renewed MoU will enhance collaboration on cyber security through: information sharing, training and the exchange of best practices on regulatory, policy and operational matters; joint cyber security exercises; promoting innovation, trade and investment; regional confidence building measures; and regional capacity building, including at the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. Ministers welcomed progress by officials to operationalise the MoU, including through senior officials’ meeting. They noted that Australia was currently co-chairing the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Group on Cyber Security.
25 Ministers underscored the importance of strong public health systems and international cooperation in preparing for future pandemics. Ministers noted the close partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic and welcomed deepening cooperation between Australia’s Centre for Disease Control and Singapore’s Communicable Disease Agency, through in-person meetings between the agencies, including recently at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
26 Ministers recognised the growing importance of the space sector as a domain of economic and strategic opportunity. Ministers acknowledged the establishment of the National Space Agency of Singapore and welcomed ongoing engagement with the Australian Space Agency, and recognised the successful convening of the inaugural Space Dialogue between senior officials in July 2026 as an important platform for advancing bilateral cooperation in the space sector. Officials exchanged views on topics of mutual interests, such as ensuring sustainable access to space, supporting industry growth, strengthening Earth observation capabilities for economic and societal benefits, and working together in multilateral and regional fora.
27 Ministers recognised the continued engagement between ANSTO's Australian Synchrotron and the scientific research community of Singapore. Ministers noted the multi-collaboration efforts underway to not only expand the current use of the Synchrotron but also to explore the feasibility of a new Singapore-led beamline to be built and operated at the Australian Synchrotron for the benefit of both nations.
Deepening Friendships and Capabilities
28 Ministers recognised the unique friendship between the people of Australia and Singapore and welcomed progress made to deepen and strengthen ties across education and scholarships, public service, culture and the arts and tourism.
29 Ministers noted plans for the inaugural Ministerial Education Policy Dialogue to be held at a mutually convenient time and location. The Ministers reaffirmed the close and substantive exchanges between our public services, and looked forward to productive discussions between our senior public service leaders at the 10th Singapore-Australia Public Service Roundtable, which Australia will host in October 2026.
30 Ministers acknowledged the announcement of the inaugural Australia Award Scholarships on 17 April 2026 presented to Singaporean recipients during Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong’s visit to Singapore.
31 Ministers welcomed the ASEAN-Australia Centre as a practical platform for strengthening people to people links and institutional partnerships between Singapore and Australia, and across the region. Ministers noted the Centre’s support for exchanges, grants and training across education, culture and professional networks, and the participation of officials, researchers, founders and entrepreneurs from both countries in these programs. Ministers encouraged its continued contribution to deepening bilateral ties and ASEAN regional engagement.
32 Ministers encouraged continued cooperation in arts and culture. They welcomed the renewal of the Australia Singapore Arts Group (ASAG) partnership for a third term, strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries. Ministers noted that Singapore will host the next ASAG meeting virtually in 2026, and the Cultural Leaders’ Forum and ASAG meeting in 2027. Ministers were also pleased to note regular exchanges between Singapore and Australia’s cultural institutions, and encouraged continued cooperation in this area. They welcomed continued collaboration between Singapore and Australian institutions and arts groups, such as Creative Australia and the Singapore National Arts Council, the National Museum of Australia and the Singapore National Heritage Board, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Orchestra, under their respective MoUs.
33 Ministers noted the upcoming ASEAN-Australia Centre-supported Water Spirits immersive exhibition, a flagship cultural diplomacy initiative delivered in partnership with the National Museum of Australia and First Nations communities from West Arnhem Land. Ministers noted that the exhibition, which is expected to commence touring Southeast Asia in 2027, will strengthen cultural and curatorial links, showcase First Nations stories, and enhance people-to-people connections.
Regional Cooperation and Global Developments:
34 Ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments, and the economic and security implications of global crises. They recognised the heightened geostrategic uncertainty, threats to the international rules-based order, and the intensification of strategic competition across all domains. Ministers emphasised the importance of continued dialogue, restraint, strategic reassurance, and adherence to international law as the foundations for preserving regional peace and stability. Ministers agreed regional and global security is a shared responsibility based on relationships, rules-based multilateralism, and resilience.
35 Ministers highlighted that enduring partnerships are critical in navigating periods of uncertainty and disruption and reaffirmed the importance of close collaboration between Australia and Singapore in responding to global challenges.
36 Singapore looked forward to working closely with ASEAN Member States and partners including Australia to deliver substantive and meaningful outcomes as ASEAN Chair in 2027. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to uphold ASEAN Centrality through ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. They expressed their resolve to continue working together to support the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), through tangible projects under the four priority areas of the AOIP.
37 Ministers emphasised the importance of an open, inclusive, transparent, resilient and rules-based architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, where countries and peoples can cooperate, trade and thrive, where international rules and norms are upheld, disputes are settled peacefully and in accordance with international law, and where all countries have the freedom to decide their future without coercion.
38 Ministers welcomed Australia’s role as President of Negotiations for COP31 and support for the Pacific to host the Pre-COP in Fiji with a leaders’ component in Tuvalu, and looked forward to working together to advance multilateral cooperation in support of successful outcomes at COP31.
39 Ministers noted that Singapore and Australia are partner economies in various multilateral fora such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). They reaffirmed their support for the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core.
40 The Ministers welcomed continued cooperation between Australia and Singapore to advance urgent reforms at the WTO so that it is able to address current and emerging global trade challenges, with a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system that is accessible to all WTO Members. As co-conveners (alongside Japan) of the WTO E-Commerce Agreement (ECA), Singapore and Australia welcomed the adoption of the ECA with Interim Arrangements on the sidelines of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in March 2026, and looked forward to its entry into force. They also welcomed the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and the overwhelming support for the incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO legal framework.
41 Ministers welcomed the progress made through RCEP, AANZFTA and CPTPP to deepen regional integration, promote greater regional trade and investments, foster innovation, and create growth opportunities. They reaffirmed their commitment to expanding RCEP and the CPTPP’s membership and promoting cooperation between the CPTPP and the European Union, and the CPTPP and ASEAN.
42 Ministers emphasised the importance of the right of unimpeded transit passage of vessels and aircraft in straits used for international navigation in accordance with international law as reflected in UNCLOS. Ministers urged all parties to uphold their obligations under UNCLOS and customary international law with respect to navigational rights and freedoms, including in the South China Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, a strait used for international navigation, as well as to ensure the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and ships in the region.
43 Ministers expressed serious concern over behaviour that increased the risk of miscalculation and unilateral actions that could threaten peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea. They emphasised the imperative for all States to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, without resorting to the threat or use of force or coercion. The Ministers emphasised the importance of any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea being consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS, and not prejudicing the legitimate rights and interests of all nations, including those not party to these negotiations.
44 Ministers expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for the ASEAN-led efforts on a sustainable resolution and called on the Myanmar authorities to make tangible progress on implementing ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus. Ministers denounced the continued acts of violence against civilians and the destruction of public facilities. They called for concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, exercise utmost restraint, ensure the protection and safety of all civilians and civilian infrastructures, release all those unjustly detained, including political prisoners, and engage in inclusive national dialogue amongst all stakeholders. They also called for the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance without discrimination and the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel.
45 Ministers called on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, which is a violation of international law, including the UN Charter. The sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected.
Conclusion
46 In conclusion of the 15th SAJMC, Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing cooperation across all pillars of the CSP 2.0 and agreed to continue working closely to promote regional peace and stability, economic resilience, and shared prosperity.
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TRANSCRIPT OF THE JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE 15TH MEETING OF THE SINGAPORE-AUSTRALIA JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE IN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 27 JULY 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia Richard Marles: Well, if I could start by very much welcoming Ministers Chan, Balakrishnan, and Tan from Singapore to this three-plus-three Australia-Singapore ministerial meeting. And it’s an honour to be able to host the three of you with Senators Penny Wong and Don Farrell here in Adelaide today.
We are enormously grateful for our relationship with Singapore. Over the last three months, as we have seen one of the biggest energy shocks to the world; what has become completely clear is that in the midst of that, the energy partnership between Australia and Singapore has stood tall and firm, and has been profoundly important in terms of maintaining fuel supplies here in Australia. And it speaks to the importance of the relationships that we have within our region and maintaining them in a stable and sensible and reasoned way. But it absolutely speaks to the depth of trust between Australia and Singapore, and we could not be more grateful to all of you for that.
Today, we have witnessed our respective Trade Ministers sign the Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies Protocol. So the Australia-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which essentially embodies the trust and way of operating which we have experienced between our two countries over the last few months. We also signed the Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement, which, if you like, is a defence industry version of the same thing, and that is to have secure and cooperative supply chains between our two countries, which are reliable in the most challenging and difficult of moments.
From a defence perspective, we have a unique relationship with Singapore. Singapore has a significant defence footprint on the Australian continent as any country outside of our own, and that happens both in terms of the training of infantry, which will occur through Exercise Wallaby, which occurs every year, and that will take place between September and November. It occurs through the presence of the Singapore Air Force and its helicopters at the Oakey Base (Oakey Army Aviation Centre) in Queensland, and of course at RAAF Base Pearce in Perth, where we’ve just concluded a really important six-month fighter detachment from the Singapore Air Force as well with their F-16s, and all of that speaks to the significance of the relationship.
At the end of this year, coming at the end of Exercise Wallaby will be Exercise Trident, which is our main bilateral exercise between Australia and Singapore. The degree of our technological and science partnership at a defence level between our two countries means that exercise will be the most complex that it has ever been, evidencing the deepening defence relationship between our two countries.
And indeed, right now, at Exercise Pitch Black, which is being undertaken in Darwin, the Singapore Air Force is present at that with F-16s. I think 200 personnel or something in that order are participating in that really important exercise, which again speaks to the closeness of our relationship. We are so grateful for your presence here today. CS (Minister (Def) Chan Chun Sing) and I have had a really important bilateral meeting, but the state of our bilateral relationship has never been better, and in a very challenging world, that is something we deeply appreciate.
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing: On behalf of the Singapore delegation, first, let me thank Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Richard, Ministers Penny, and Don for hosting us.
As DPM Richard mentioned, this is a very unique relationship between our two countries in terms of the breadth, the depth, and the quality of the relationship. I echo what DPM Richard said; it has never been better. Having said that, we never rest on our laurels. We are constantly in communication, looking for things that we can do to enhance our bilateral ties, both on the bilateral front and also, on the multilateral front.
I just want to emphasise this point, that Singapore and Australia share a lot of strategic interests, and key to that is that we complement one another in terms of our strategic reach and our strategic resilience. You can see that being manifested in many of the things that we do. We help each other extend our strategic reach; we help each other make sure that we have that resilience in a much more complex world.
On the military front, besides the exercises that have been mentioned and the many other cooperation projects, we are also looking to strengthening the resilience of our defence ecosystems. What do I mean by that? In today’s more complex military operations and security operations, it is not just a contest of the equipping that we have, the training that we have, or even the operational plans that we have. It is also a contest of the defence ecosystems to see how we can be more resilient and how we can outlast the adversary. Today, the Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement is a step towards that direction, whereby we know that we can depend on one another, not just in times of peace, but also in the toughest of times. That we can watch out for one another and ensure that we can have continuity in our operations, very much like what we have achieved on the economic front.
I really want to thank Richard, Penny, and Don for your partnership, for us to get this off the ground. As I say, this will not be the end of what we are going to do, and we are constantly looking for new things to strengthen our strategic reach and resilience together.
The last thing I would say is that this ability to complement one another really depends on one word – trust. That kind of deep reservoir of trust that exists between Australia and Singapore at all levels – at the personal level and at the institutional level – that is key to how we are able to do things together and constantly look for new opportunities to do better things and to do things better.
On that note, I really want to thank DPM Richard and your team for this great partnership, and we look forward to doing even more with Australia and doing even higher quality stuff with Australia. Thank you.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong: Thanks very much. Well, to Defence Minister Chan, to Minister Vivian, to Dr Tan, I want to begin by welcoming you to Adelaide, my hometown, and we – Don and I particularly – are really happy to have you here. We’ve sought to bring foreign dignitaries to Adelaide as often as we can, and we are really, really honoured to have you here.
Look, I want to start by actually picking up where the Defence Minister left off, which is on the issue of trust. And it is the case that we live in a world that is much more uncertain, much more challenging. Competition intensifying, the old certainties no longer hold. We know that escalation and miscalculation are risks which are rising. And so, in times like these, friends you can trust are so important. Friends you can trust is one of the ways in which countries can assure stability in times which are much more uncertain and much more volatile, and that’s why this Ministerial meeting is so important. Vivian and I were speaking this morning about this being 30 years since this set of Ministerial meetings was commenced between our countries, and that says something about the breadth and length of the partnership. It also says something about what we are doing today.
We are part of an important history of partnership and trust, but we are doing even more. We are doing even more. And what you saw today in the Protocol that Don signed, which we were part of negotiating, that is an expression of our faith in each other, an expression of our confidence in each other, an expression of our trust. That in times which are challenging, and in particular, we know the events in the Middle East have tested relationships, have tested supply chains. We know we can count on one another, and that’s been demonstrated to date. And now we are formalising that in a partnership, the Protocol that Don has signed.
As someone who flies in and out of Adelaide a lot, can I also say – and I don’t mean to steal Don’s thunder – but how pleased we are at the Singapore Airlines’ additional capacity. We’re really, really pleased about that.
I want to make some final comments on regional leadership. Minister Vivian is one of the longest-serving foreign ministers in the world, I think. I think so, but certainly in the region, and that, alongside the important regional leadership role that Singapore plays, has been of great benefit to our country and to stability in the region. I want to acknowledge that, Vivian. Your personal and your country’s regional leadership matters greatly. We have, of course, spent a lot of time with each other because we spent last week together at the ASEAN meetings, a reminder of the central role that ASEAN plays in the world in the region in which we live. How important that is to stability, and how important Singapore’s contribution to that leadership is. So thank you.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Thank you. Well, thank you, Richard, Penny, and Don, for welcoming my colleagues and team to your hometown. I think all of us when we were going through our notes were pleasantly surprised. It’s been 30 years in which every one-and-a-half years or so, the Defence, the Foreign, and the Trade Ministers of Singapore get together and share a variety of ideas, decide which ones to pursue, and then get it done.
Chun Sing has already mentioned the key ingredient of trust, and it’s worthwhile remembering that, in fact, the special relationship between Australia and Singapore for us goes back even before our independence, and how Australian troops also played their part in the defence of Singapore. You are a welcome presence in our country; and in the arrangements since post-independence, have continued to be a valued, totally reliable partner. So the key word there is trust.
The other aspect is strategic perspective. We’re not identical in our strategic circumstances. But I think in the way we analyse the world, both the challenges and the opportunities, there is a certain common shared frame of reference, and that makes another big difference.
And the third aspect is complementarity, and you see that most particularly in the economic and trade dimension. You mentioned I’ve been around for a long time, and that reminds me that, actually, I have been involved with the negotiations both for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 1.0 and subsequently 2.0. So what I will let on, is that the Australians are tough negotiators. But because of that deep reservoir of trust and goodwill, you always know that at the end of that negotiation, you’re going to get something worthwhile and valuable.
And even more important, something which you can bank on, and that’s why it’s no surprise that today, we’ve just signed the additional Protocol to our free trade agreement, which commits us to standing by each other, even in times of crisis, that we will look out for each other and protect our collective interests.
So the point is, this is a relationship well worth. It goes beyond its signatures and pieces of paper, but a truly unique relationship – which also illustrates Australia’s place in our region and your increasing strategic role and heft in our region. So thank you once again, and I thank not only you but your team of negotiators. As I said, tough, but worthwhile and dependable. Thank you.
Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State of Australia Don Farrell: Well, thank you, and thank you for all of our ministers coming to join us today. Just looking around the room, I think I’m the person with the longest personal connection with Singapore. Penny talked about the fact that we’re now getting record number of flights between Singapore and in South Australia, which is just wonderful news for travellers heading in both directions.
But back in 1974, I was a student at Adelaide University, just up the road here –for the first time, they started direct flights from Australia into Southeast Asia. At the time, most people went to Europe. Me and a mate decided, well, we weren’t going to go to Europe. We were going to go somewhere close home, so we went from Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur, and we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, and then we hitchhiked because we wanted to see Singapore. We hitchhiked from – you wouldn’t do that anymore, certainly, wouldn’t let your children do that anymore – but we hitchhiked from Kuala Lumpur down to Singapore, and we got to the Causeway, and there was a big poster up, and it described how long the hair of Australians could be before they were admitted into Singapore. And hard to believe, but back then, I had hair that went down to my shoulders. And me and my mate, we had to cut each other’s hair at the Causeway before we before we were admitted into Singapore. Very good rules, I think. I fully endorse them these days.
Anyway, fast forward 40 years, and I’m the Parliamentary Secretary for Water in Australia, and Vivian was the Water minister. Water is very important to Singapore, and he invites me up to Water Week. And at the Water Week, the big event is the Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Water Awards, and there I was. I got invited to the Water Awards with Vivian, and who should I meet but Lee Kuan Yew? And I told him the story about the hair cutting, and we had a good laugh about that. So that was very, very good. But ever since that time, of course, we’ve had a very close relationship with our great friends in Singapore.
That’s culminated in today, myself and Minister Tan signing a Resilience and Supply Chain Agreement. Singapore is our largest source of fuel, and of course, you know what has been the most difficult issue to deal with over the last three or four months- it’s been guaranteed supply of fuel, and what this agreement does, it strengthens our relationship and ensures that in times of trouble.
And you know – I think we have to accept that now, more often than not, there’s going to be times of trouble – we’ll be working together to ensure that both of our economies benefit from our ability to supply energy into each of our markets but also other products, so that we can ensure that however difficult things might be at an international level, we’re going to be working together to ensure that each of our societies gets guaranteed support from the government. So, I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to do that, and I know See Tan (Minister (EST) Tan See Leng) loves coming to South Australia. He loves South Australian wines. I don’t think there’s a better supporter of South Australian wines. We’ll continue – not only – if you keep supplying us with that petrol, we’ll make sure we keep supplying you with that wonderful South Australian wine. Thank you.
Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng: As my colleagues have already highlighted, I think the key thing is the word “trust”.
Over the years, our economic partnership is really a key pillar of that broader bilateral relationship. The trust is important because it allows us to set pathfinders to find new ways, new paradigms, new horizons for us to work closely together.
One of the few new areas of economic cooperation are, for instance, the Singapore-Australian Green Economy Agreement. And then just last year, we also worked on and launched the Singapore-Australia Cross-Border Electricity Trade Framework.
And tomorrow I’m flying up to Sydney. We are going to have the inaugural Ministerial Dialogue on Energy between myself and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, and I look forward to many new areas of working with him on low-carbon energy research, energy security, supply chains, so on and so forth.
Today’s signing of the Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies to the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement is a very significant milestone. It reaffirms our shared commitment to keeping essential goods flowing during times of disruption, while strengthening cooperation on broader issues, broader processes, transparency, as well as allowing us to fast-track an early consultation should there be any issues that crop up.
Now, at a time like this – heightened geopolitical uncertainty, increasing pressures on global supply chains – this signing of the Protocol reflects the deep reservoir of strategic trust between both our countries and our shared commitment to keeping trade open, reliable and resilient.
Beyond our bilateral relationship, both our countries continue to work closely to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system. We are longstanding partners in the WTO, APEC, RCEP and the CPTPP, and we are now working towards the timely implementation of the E-Commerce Agreement through the Interim Arrangements.
Next year, Singapore is going to host ASEAN as ASEAN Chair. We look forward to working closely with Australia to support a region that remains open, connected and outward-looking. We hope that Australia would level up and continue to engage with ASEAN, because this will be a very significant and important contribution to our region’s growth, resilience and prosperity.
The breadth of economic cooperation initiatives reflects, once again, the depth of trust between Singapore and Australia, and our shared ambition to build a stronger, a more resilient and a more progressive and future-ready partnership.
Thank you once again.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles: Thank you. Questions.
LHZB: This is the 30th anniversary of the SAJMC, which provides strategic direction in the bilateral relationship, and serves as a platform to review cooperation. Given recent geopolitical developments, how has this strategic direction changed?
Minister Balakrishnan: Well, let me start with what has not changed: the deep reservoir of trust, goodwill, and strategic alignment has not changed in decades. If you look at how our relationship has evolved, in the early years of our independence, Australia was part of, and continues to be part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. We had Australian troops housed in Singapore in the past. In the early years, we wanted to maintain the trade links between Australia and Singapore.
And also in our regional arrangements, we always advocated for Australia’s inclusion in the entire regional strategic architecture. It’s also no accident, and I think Chun Sing can give more details later, but we have had military training in Australia for decades, and on a scale which is not possible in any other country, and it’s not just because of geography, but because of the deep, close relationship between our defence establishment and the trust. And I would like to believe that our soldiers have also behaved in a way which have made Singaporeans welcome in Australia.
Then you fast forward to CSP 1.0, and again I was involved in those negotiations, and it allowed us to formalise both the economic ties. It’s also no accident that you were actually one of our first major free trade agreements. This goes back to I think 2003. So we’ve built on that in terms of economy, in terms of defence, in terms of education, and other fields.
And you fast forward to CSP 2.0. We’ve included the emerging areas, including the digital and the green economy. Fast forward to today, the world that both Australia and Singapore have to survive in is a more fractured, fractious, uncertain world, and supply chain resilience cannot be taken for granted. So it’s no accident that again you see, we’ve entered into these agreements for economic resilience, supply chain resilience, and even the military dimension to it.
The point I’m trying to make through this trek through history is that this special relationship, grounded on trust and alignment, has enabled us to deepen the engagement and to do so in a relevant and timely way, to meet the challenges that have arisen. And if you believe, as Penny and I do, that the world of the future is going to be more challenging, I think it means doubling down on our relationship becomes all the more vital.
Minister Wong: Can I just add to that? I agree with everything Vivian said. I just made this point. We do live in a much more difficult world. We do live in a world where the circumstances are much more challenging, and so partnerships matter. We have to work much harder to assure peace, to ensure stability, and to enable prosperity. And what is critical about this relationship is we are partners in that endeavour.
CNA TV: How were essential items selected for the Protocol, and can the lease be expanded during future disruptions?
LHZB: How is the agreement with Australia different from the one signed with New Zealand in May?
Minister Tan: Well, thank you. For the first question: as you know, we’ve been negotiating on this for many, many months – but what has actually happened as a result of the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, I think it has actually triggered an urgent momentum into making sure that both our countries continue to be able to function as near normal as possible, and the essential supplies, two of the most consequential supply chain – supply lines – that would be needed would be on petroleum oils, and natural gas.
Australia is one of the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas to Singapore. Likewise, our refineries – we refine a significant amount of petroleum oils, which Australia needs for a lot of its industry to function, particularly in the areas of agriculture and your own manufacturing plants. And as a result of that, this Protocol, the elevation into a legally binding document, allows for a resilient, reliable, open, transparent, and consultative process for both Australia and Singapore – as close, trusted partners – to rely on one another in times of crisis.
The list of essential supplies will continue to be refined, obviously. And depending on time, and depending on the months ahead, I think it is a refinement process that we will continue to work closely. The difference between this and New Zealand, I think, it’s really on what constitutes essential supplies. And also at the same time, the nature of the trade, which obviously is not a like-for-like between Singapore and Australia, and between Singapore and New Zealand.
So we are very heartened by this. In any event, I think the signing of this Protocol today would serve to tell the world that indeed, it is this kind of trusted partnerships that would prevail and cause us all to thrive in the uncertain times ahead.
Minister Farrell: I might just add to that and just confirm that everything that my colleague has said is absolutely correct. The urgency about this particular discussion was, of course, the troubles in the Middle East and through the Straits (of Hormuz), and of course, Australian farmers, Australian miners, Australian consumers all need to have petrol or diesel. Or, if you’re an airline, airline fuel. Singapore represented 26% of all our fuel, so our largest supplier of fuel. We saw what happened at the outbreak of that war in the Middle East. We needed to do something really quickly, and that’s what we did.
Minister Wong and I, following the visit of the Prime Minister, went up (to Singapore), sat down with our colleagues here, and we nattered out this the substance of this agreement. So what you’re seeing today is the result of those negotiations. They are tough negotiators. But it is a fair agreement. It’s a fair agreement, but what it highlights, I think, is this- fuel is the issue at the moment.
But next time, it’s going to be something different. It might be supply of poultry, or it could be PPPs. It could be anything. So what this agreement does is allow us to add to the list, and preferably as quickly as we can. So we’ve got a mechanism, so that we don’t have to start the process all over again. That we have a mechanism that enables us to deal with urgent issues, and I think we are now entering an age of uncertainty. I think we have to accept that it’s more likely than not that more problems will exist, not less. Every time you think things are settling down, something else happens. I think we have to work on that basis now, and this agreement provides us with the ability to do that.
LHZB: The Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement between Singapore and Australia appears to be more comprehensive than similar arrangements previously signed with other countries. Is that an accurate characterisation? If so, how is this IBRA different from other arrangements? Why and how will it contribute to the security of Singapore and Australia, as well as the wider region?
Minister Chan: Well, the simple answer to the first question is yes. I think between Singapore and Australia, the depth of the relationship and the breadth of the relationship is quite different from anything that we have with any other country. That goes to the deep sense of trust that we have.
Why this agreement? Because, as I have mentioned, in modern security issues and warfare, it is not just a contest of the training, the equipping, or even the operational plans. It is the ability to be resilient, the ability to sustain operations from peace through what we call the troubled peace or grey-zone operations, all the way to war. This agreement gives us a framework to support each other throughout that continuum.
In peacetime, there will be essential supplies that both of us depend on. We operate various common platforms. We have joint research and development across various areas and domains, and these agreements allow us to closer integrate the kind of supply chain dependencies that we have. Together, we can be more resilient than just doing it on our own.
When it comes to operations, we have operated with the Australian Defence Force across the spectrum of operations throughout the years. Sometimes even in domestic situations where there are situations in Australia where we can chip in to help, whether it is a bushfire, drought or floods. We integrate seamlessly with the Australian Defence Force, and nobody misses a heartbeat when operating together.
Beyond Australia, whether it is in the region or even as far away as Afghanistan, in the past, we have always operated seamlessly together. This is not just about the close relationship in terms of our training and deployment, but also how we supported each other behind the scenes. And that is actually all the more critical going forward in uncertain times where supply chains can be disrupted or supply chains can be weaponised. This is where we have each other’s backs, and we can do more together and provide greater resilience to our forces.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles: I mean, everything that CS (Minister (Def) Chan Chun Sing) has just said then, completely agree with, and really, the power of trust opens so many doors. I mean, it does in respect of the strategic depth which our continent provides for Singapore with the training which we’ve discussed. Logistics and resilience are a critical part of that, which this arrangement helps support. But so too does opening the door to greater cooperation between our defence industrial bases. And Singapore has fantastic industry, and for us to be able to work more closely together is hugely advantageous from an Australian point of view. But I think from both countries’ points of view, and that’s why this arrangement is so important.
Adelaide Advertiser: Mr. Marles, a question for you on an unrelated issue relating to the Labor Conference recently in Adelaide, the Israel-Palestine Platform that was produced from that – is it flawed, and should have it have been more explicit about Hamas disarmament?
Deputy Prime Minister Marles: Well, firstly, I’m very comfortable with the platform as it’s been adopted by the conference. The platform makes clear that the only pathway forward is a two-state solution. But the platform also condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms of terrorism, and that includes, in respect of Hamas.
But the point I really want to make about what we saw on Saturday was just extraordinary act of social cohesion, which I think stands as an example for our nation. We had Josh Burns and Basem Abdo, a Jewish Australian, a Muslim-Australian of Palestinian heritage, standing together, side by side, supporting the words in the platform, and making it clear that this is the way in which we as a society can remain coherent. We can have social cohesion. We stand together first and foremost as Australians.
And the differing backgrounds that we have, we can, notwithstanding that, celebrate them, acknowledge them, but come together as Australians in a way which moves forward. And I really feel the way in which both Josh and Basem represented themselves, represented the conference and the Labor Party, is an example to the whole country, and it made me feel proud not only to be a member of the Labor Party but to be an Australian.
Adelaide Advertiser: Did you voice any reservations about the final wording of the motion?
Deputy Prime Minister Marles: I’ve made clear that I’m really comfortable with the platforms I’ve just described, but I really feel like that the most significant thing that we saw occur on the weekend was Basem Abdo and Josh Burns standing together. Since 7 October, what we’ve seen is social cohesion in this country, and not just this country around the world, actually. But we have the same social cohesion in this country put under strain. What we saw from Basem and Josh stands as an example for the rest of the country.
Nine News, Adelaide: Is this your response to Angus Taylor saying that the PM should demand an explanation from Trump re free tariffs and tell the President to reverse the decision?
Minister Farrell: Well, yes, yes, he should, and he will. I think the Prime Minister has made it very clear that we do not accept the decision of the United States to impose higher tariffs, or in fact any tariffs on Australia. We have a free trade agreement between Australia and the United States. That free trade agreement obliges both sides not to apply tariffs to the products that we sell each other. We honour our side of that bargain. We don’t impose any tariffs on goods that come in from the United States and haven’t applied tariffs despite what the United States has done.
From the Prime Minister down to the Foreign Minister, I’m sure to the Defence Minister, every opportunity we will get, we will explain to the Americans that what they have done is unjustified. It’s unfair, and it needs to be reversed. I’ll be in contact shortly with my counterpart Jamieson Greer. I’ve had a number of conversations with him about this. They’ve been difficult conversations. They’ll continue to be difficult conversations. But just as we did with China over the previous three years of the last government, we need to explain to countries that we are opposed to the introduction of tariffs, and those tariffs have to be removed.
The world is falling into two categories now. One is those people who are supporting tariffs. One is – or the other one is – those supporting free and fair trade. Singapore and Australia in the category of support of free and fair trade. What’s going to be quite important here now? We have a new free trade agreement with the Europeans. It’s not just one new free trade agreement. We’ve currently got about 30 free trade agreements, including with Singapore. This new agreement with the EU almost doubles that to 27 new countries. So we’re in one fell swoop, almost doubling the number of countries that we have a free trade agreement. Population of 450 million Europeans, a 31 trillion-dollar economy.
I’m calling on Mr. Taylor to come out and unequivocally say that the coalition will support our EU free trade agreement. Absolutely vital. If other countries are going to put bans or impose tariffs, we need to have those tariffs removed in our relationship with the EU, and Mr. Taylor has to nail his colours to the mast. Is he supporting the EU free trade agreement, or is he not?
Nine News, Adelaide: Just for one of the Singaporean Ministers. We’ve seen Singapore Airlines put on more flights, I think we just spoke about it before. What message does that send to South Australians, the confidence that business in Singapore has in South Australia particularly?
Minister Tan: I think it’s excellent news, and it’s – we didn’t plan this by serendipity because Singapore Airlines is a public listed independent entity. I think first, it shows – actually, it’s very difficult to get flights, and I fly to Adelaide quite often on my own. It’s very difficult to get seats on Singapore Airlines coming into Adelaide and going back. And if you book it and you try to change it, it’s not as easy. So I think they’ve seen the need to increase the number of flights, because obviously there is the demand, and what is going to bring to both Singapore and South Australia is more people-to-people exchanges, more visits.
I think it would bring in a lot more investments into South Australia, and it would also allow South Australian businesses to use Singapore as a platform to launch into ASEAN, into many of the industrial parks, the special economic zones that we have set up with our neighbouring countries.
Nine News, Adelaide: What do you think is driving that demand?
Minister Tan: I think it’s a combination of tourism, of course, with that leisure – the beautiful South Australian wines, Clare Valley wines. I think that there is generally a lot of interest in coming into South Australia to look and see the abundant natural resources for investments, for business development opportunities.
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