SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Subjects: 10th Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting; Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine; Australia’s energy policy; Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy; strategic competition.
PENNY WONG, FOREIGN MINISTER: I am in Tokyo to attend the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting hosted by Japan, and I want to first say what a fantastic event this has been. And my congratulations and thanks to Prime Minister Kishida and to the Government of Japan for hosting such an important event, and for having, with Pacific leaders, all members of the forum, Pacific Islands Forum, represented. A very important discussion about Pacific priorities. Japan is a longstanding contributor and participant within the Pacific. In fact, Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji was telling the story that he had been there for a PALM meeting decades ago and now he was here again as the Prime Minister of Fiji. So, it shows the longevity of Japan's commitment to the region.
But what is as important as the longevity is the respectful way in which Prime Minister Kishida and the Japanese Government is engaging with the Pacific. And the central way in which it is engaging is to respect Pacific priorities. To focus on the blueprint, the 2050 strategy for the Pacific. To focus on the ways in which the Pacific has asked partners to engage with the Pacific. The respect for Pacific architecture. And one of the things I said in my interventions was that, in fact, Japan's engagement with the region is a model for how external dialogue partners should engage with the region.
Obviously, Australia has put many more resources, many more people, much more focus on the Pacific since our government came to office. And the reason we have done that is we understand that the Pacific is so central to our stability and security and because, as I said, we want to be better and more involved members of the Pacific family. We know that we lost a decade we're not going to get it back, but we are very clear about our obligations and responsibilities as a nation, as a member of the Pacific Islands Forum. So, it was a really good opportunity to engage with my counterparts and leaders today. I'm happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Just from a Pacific Islands Forum perspective, we spoke to Mark Brown from the Cook Islands, and he just said the PIF wants to make a high-level delegation to New Caledonia over coming weeks over concerns about the independence referendum. Is this something you want to take part in, that you want to go to New Caledonia in coming weeks as part of a PIF delegation?
FOREIGN MINISTER: Look, I think this is a matter that is being discussed. I think there is a shared view amongst Pacific Island nations about the importance of peace and stability. Obviously, we've all been concerned about the conflict and violence that we have seen. We're pleased that things are more stable now. I would anticipate the PIF will make a decision about what its engagement will be with New Caledonia and the French State.
JOURNALIST: With regards to the US, now elections. We've obviously got Donald Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance. He's made it clear that he doesn't believe the US should be supporting Ukraine and says the US needs those resources to pivot to Asia. I guess a two part question. One, are you concerned that a Trump presidency means the US will no longer support Ukraine?
FOREIGN MINISTER: I'm not going to engage in that sort of commentary. Obviously what I would say is, as a matter of principle first, our relationship with the United States is long, it is deep. It is a relationship that has – our relationship with the United States is longstanding, it is deep. It is a relationship which has seen parties of both persuasions in both countries at different times – but it is an alliance which goes beyond politics. I'm not going to get involved in discussion or commentary about the US president or vice presidential candidates and their comments. As a matter of principle, the reason we have been supportive of Ukraine's fight is because we believe, as a country that does rely on the rule of law, the international rule of law, that it is important that all countries in the world do stand against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine. It is an abrogation of the UN Charter. So, that principle basis for Australia's view on Ukraine is something I've said publicly many times.
JOURNALIST: Jessica Sier from the Financial Review.
FOREIGN MINISTER: Hello.
JOURNALIST: Excuse me, Minister, I'm up to my elbows in energy policy here. Has the Fortescue backtrack on hydrogen undermined any of Australia's hydrogen export ambitions in Asia?
JOURNALIST: That's a matter for Fortescue and Mr Forrest. Australia's relationship with Japan and our relationship with Northern Asia has in great part been benefited by our position as an energy supplier. We want that to continue up to 2050. We want that to continue out to the net zero target that all of us have signed up to. So, that transition is a hard transition. That transition does require governments and business to work together. It is an enormous economic shift, but it's one we all have to engage in. We want to be part of that. We want to work with the Government of Japan and others in Japanese industry and other partners around the world to enable that transition.
JOURNALIST: Will the government consider dropping its exclusive support for green hydrogen, given the high cost of producing it?
FOREIGN MINISTER: Look, we’ve put our views out very clearly in terms of energy policy. Minister Bowen is working, and Minister King, work very hard on that. But I again make this point. The countries of the world have in large part signed up to 2050. The 2050 Strategy requires that transition, that economic transition, that energy transition, which I'm sure you're very well aware of. So, we have to work with it. And that's going to require an unprecedented cooperation between governments and the private sector.
JOURNALIST: Rurika Imahashi from Nikkei. On media partnership in the Pacific you announced last week, what is your assessment of the challenges the media faces in the Pacific and how you envisage the Strategy will will help overcome them? And did you raise this topic during the conference?
FOREIGN MINISTER: That hasn't been as much of a topic today, but it's been a topic previously. And, of course, media capability is important to democracy. It's important to our functioning as democracies and it's also important to our relationships with one another. So, we were very pleased to work with the Pacific to announce our Pacific media strategy, which is all about us working with Pacific nations to help improve and strengthen their capability, and also to ensure access to Australian content. That's one of the things we share, whether it's sports or other culture, cultural expressions, and we want to make sure there's a way that people can share those things which connect us. But thank you for the question, it's a policy I was very pleased to announce and we worked for a long while to make that happen, so I'm pleased it's on foot.
JOURNALIST: The Solomon Islands has announced it's going to receive $30 million in budget support from China. Does Australia have any concerns about this development? Have you sought any details about what this $30 million entails from China?
FOREIGN MINISTER: We engage with Solomon Islands and with all PIF members about their development needs. We're very, you know, we're partners to members of the PIF and to Solomon Islands and of course, we engage with them on all matters.
JOURNALIST: I've just got a question about NATO countries supporting Ukraine. Some of these countries have put sanctions on Chinese companies. Will Australia follow suit?
FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, I don’t – we don't speculate on sanctions. But you would be aware we have put in place a great many sanctions in support of Ukraine and against Russia and Russian interests and also North Korean interests and companies. So, you would anticipate we will continue to look to ways to support Ukraine.
JOURNALIST: Minister, Sophie from Nikkei Asia.
FOREIGN MINISTER: Hey, Sophie.
JOURNALIST: You've described the Pacific Islands as being in a permanent state of contest before. How has this characterisation been received by Pacific island countries and do you think they view it the same way as well?
FOREIGN MINISTER: I can't speak for other Pacific countries, I can only speak for Australia. And it is my – our observation. But I think if you look at the various communiques and declarations from the Pacific Islands Forum over the last two years, you will see that the reality of competition is something those leaders are engaged in. You know, they are leaders from small countries who see the competition in their region and are looking at how they navigate it. And one of the things that was so important about this meeting is it respects the regional architecture of the Pacific Islands Forum, and that regionalism is central to navigating challenges like the competition to which you refer.
Anything more? Thanks very much. Thank you.
ENDS
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