Media Releases
Joint Statement with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel
13 June 2021
The Prime Minister of Australia and Chancellor of Germany discussed their mutual commitment to ambitious action on climate change in line with the Paris Agreement, and to deeper collaboration and partnership towards achieving net zero emissions and keeping the 1.5°C temperature goal within reach.
Recognising low emissions technologies are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring economic growth and job creation, the Leaders announced the two countries have agreed an Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord, which has formally been signed by Ministers on 11 June. The Accord is an enduring commitment to enhance collaboration in technology innovation, research, development and deployment to build a global hydrogen industry.
Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation Through Technology
13 June 2021
Japan and Australia emphasise their shared values and close relationship, their common commitment to ambitious action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, and their determination to further collaboration on efforts to achieve decarbonisation and a net zero emissions future. We recognise that climate change is one of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time, and that all countries must play their part in the global response. Japan reaffirms its commitment to transition to net zero emissions by 2050. Australia reaffirms its commitment to achieve net zero emissions as soon as possible, preferably by 2050.
Japan and Australia consider a technology-led response is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also ensuring economic growth and job creation. We share an ambition to accelerate the development and commercialisation of low and zero emissions technologies as soon as possible, as achieving cost parity with high emitting alternatives is vital for decarbonisation efforts.
Japan and Australia are determined to make low and zero emissions technologies that will underpin decarbonisation strategies to make them globally scalable and commercially viable, through collaboration on technology research and development, in order to rapidly accelerate global emissions reduction and reach net zero emissions.
In this regard, Japan and Australia commit to collaborate and coordinate together, and with key likeminded partners regionally and multilaterally, on ways to support economic growth and resilience of the Indo-Pacific region and particularly amongst ASEAN members. This commitment will be displayed, by supporting regional partners in their pragmatic and clean energy transitions in various forms, which reflect their own circumstances and increasingly utilise low and zero emissions technologies and energy resources, to meet the region’s growing energy demands. We, together with their partners, will coordinate approaches wherever possible on support for clean, pragmatic and realistic energy transitions in the region, including for developing countries, through finance, capacity building, technology development and deployment support, and knowledge sharing.
To this end, Japan and Australia commit to jointly support initiatives that will help drive the transitions to net zero emissions. We take on to increase our joint focus on lower emissions LNG production, transport and use; clean fuel ammonia, clean hydrogen and derivatives produced from renewable energy or from fossil fuels with substantial carbon capture, utilisation and storage; carbon capture utilisation and storage; carbon recycling; and low emissions steel and iron ore.
In support of this shared objective, Japan and Australia will provide financial support, as appropriate, to advance initiatives that will contribute to the development and deployment of low and zero emissions technologies. We commit to collaborate on the development of initiatives that would leverage funding from other sources, including subnational governments and the private sector.
This partnership builds on our already strong cooperation through initiatives and statements such as the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC), the Japan-Australia Energy and Resources Dialogue (JAERD) and the Australia-Japan Joint Statement of Cooperation on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.
We take on to develop initiatives under this Partnership as soon as possible, with the aim of further progress in advance of COP26. The Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction will lead work to develop joint initiatives under this Partnership for Australia side. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry will lead work to develop joint initiatives under this Partnership for Japan side. Ministerial follow-up is expected to take place through existing frameworks such as Ministerial Economic Dialogue (MED), where appropriate. Officials’ level follow-up is expected to take place through existing officials’-level frameworks, such as the JAERD, where appropriate.
Joint Statement by President Biden, Prime Minister Johnson and Prime Minister Morrison
12 June 2021
President Biden, Prime Minister Johnson and Prime Minister Morrison met in the margins of the G7 summit in Carbis Bay on 12 June 2021.
They discussed a number of issues of mutual concern, including the Indo-Pacific region. They agreed that the strategic context in the Indo-Pacific was changing and that there was a strong rationale for deepening cooperation between the three governments.
They welcomed the forthcoming visits and exercises in the Indo-Pacific by the Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Australia Commits 20 Million Doses to G7 Vaccine Initiative
11 June 2021
Australia will commit at least 20 million vaccine doses to a global G7 push to boost access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic preparedness in developing countries.
“I am pleased to be able to join my counterparts in the G7 and beyond to commit more vaccines for people in developing countries in our region,” the Prime Minister said.
“COVID does not respect borders and the pandemic is not a problem confined to any one nation. That’s why we will commit to distributing at least an additional 20 million vaccine doses across our region.
“The more people we can safely vaccinate around the world, the more we stop the spread and devastation of this disease.”
These 20 million doses will build on Australia’s existing significant financial and technical support for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and on the almost 300,000 vaccine doses already provided to the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
We are delivering a $523 million, three-year Vaccine Access and Health Security initiative, which provides end-to-end support for vaccine roll-outs in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
This includes an Australian partnership with UNICEF to procure vaccines for up to 15 million people in our region, also by mid-2022.
And we have also committed $100 million to the Quad Vaccine Partnership, which will support the production and distribution of one billion doses to the Indo-Pacific by the end of 2022.
In addition, Australia's $130 million contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (COVAX AMC) for developing countries will also assist the COVAX AMC to deliver more than 1.8 billion doses worldwide, reaching at least 114 million people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
The Minister for Health and Aged Care and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women have been working with their G7 counterparts to progress this and other key health issues.
“In Cornwall, I will also raise with G7 leaders how we can work together to learn lessons from this pandemic and make sure the world is better prepared to combat future outbreaks,” the Prime Minister said.
“Australia welcomes the opportunity to contribute our scientific and medical expertise to G7 discussions on how we improve surveillance and early warning systems to stop outbreaks at their source, and to strengthen rapid response capabilities and disease defences to ensure we can move quickly and decisively in the event of future pandemics.”
At least 20 million new COVID-19 vaccine doses will be provided by mid-2022.
They will be a mix of vaccines that have been already contracted by the Australian Government, including AstraZenca, Pfizer and Moderna.
The Australian Government has entered into 5 separate agreements to secure more than 195 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Australia Partners with Singapore on Hydrogen in Maritime Sector
10 June 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Australia and Singapore will establish a $30 million partnership to accelerate the deployment of low emissions fuels and technologies like clean hydrogen to reduce emissions in maritime and port operations.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was driving practical international partnerships to get new energy technologies to commercial parity with existing approaches.
“We’re working with partners around the world to make clean energy more affordable and reliable,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“We are positioning Australia to succeed by investing now in the new technologies that will support jobs and industries into the future.
“Developing new low emissions industries means more jobs for Australian workers, and cheaper energy means lower costs for businesses so they can reinvest in hiring more people.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said getting new energy technologies to parity with existing technologies was the only way to reduce emissions without imposing taxes or new costs on households, businesses and industry.
“We are working with our international partners and neighbours on practical commitments that will support technological innovation,” Minister Taylor said.
“Our joint investment with Singapore will attract investment into Australia, create jobs, reduce global emissions and help deliver on the goals of the Technology Investment Roadmap.”
The Australia-Singapore partnership is part of the Government’s $565.8 million commitment to build new international technology partnerships that make low emissions technologies cheaper and drive investment in Australia-based projects to create up to 2,500 jobs.
The partnership recognises Singapore’s role as a major global shipping hub and Australia’s ambition to position itself as an emerging leader in the growing use of clean hydrogen and clean ammonia. This builds on the existing Australia-Singapore MOU on low emissions technologies and solutions.
Each country will commit up to $10 million over five years to fund industry-led pilot and demonstration projects, with at least $10 million of additional investment expected to be leveraged from industry.
The initiative will trial the use of clean hydrogen, clean ammonia and other hydrogen derivatives in shipping and port operations and explore the potential for hydrogen demand from the maritime sector.
Building demand for future low emissions energy exports will help Australia’s emerging hydrogen industry scale up, attract investment and create jobs. This will be critical to achieving the Technology Investment Roadmap goal of producing clean hydrogen at under $2 a kilogram (‘H2 under 2’).
Brokering practical international partnerships is a key part of the Government’s plan to accelerate the development of the Roadmap’s five priority technologies, with Australia’s Special Adviser on Low Emissions Technology, Dr Alan Finkel, playing a key role.
Australia’s Technology Investment Roadmap will drive at least $80 billion of total new investment in low emissions technologies in Australia by 2030 and support over 160,000 jobs.
Interview with Liam Bartlett, 6PR
10 June 2021
Liam Bartlett: Scott Morrison joins us now. Prime Minister, good morning.
Prime Minister: Good morning, Liam. Good to be with you.
Liam Bartlett: Prime Minister, nice to talk to you too. Look, why aren’t we talking to the Chinese, at your level, like adults to fix this?
Prime Minister: We would be very happy to speak to them on any occasion. Those opportunities are provided to China. At this point, they're choosing not to take those up. As I said yesterday, we're keen to work with countries all around the world, particularly in our own region, we’re for a free and open Indo-Pacific, we're there for countries to trade with each other, to work with each other. And we work with China on many other issues, including in the Pacific. But when the Chinese Government is willing to have those discussions again, then of course, we're available for them.
Liam Bartlett: But, it really is the tale of the minnow and the whale, isn’t it Prime Minister? We’re not sitting around the table with them, we’re never going to win this fight.
Prime Minister: Well, I wouldn't describe it in those terms. They have raised a set of issues with Australia that are issues that Australia are not prepared to concede on. They go to our values, they go to our sovereignty. And, of course, Australia will maintain our very clear positions on those. We've made that very clear. But at the same time, we're very willing to work, and trade and engage with China in our own region and more broadly around the world. So there's no obstacle at Australia's end, to engage in that dialogue.
Liam Bartlett: I say this with the greatest respect, but, we know what makes them unhappy. We know the origins of the problem. Are we being a little bit pig-headed?
Prime Minister: Well, you never trade away your values and who you are in your own sovereignty, integrity, ever. And nor would any other country in the world and so the position Australia…
Liam Bartlett: Does talking mean you have to trade things away, Prime Minister? I’m not suggesting we fold, I’m just saying it’s not a great look is it, not a great position not to even be discussing things?
Prime Minister: Well, we're very happy to discuss things. Always have been, have made those offers constantly, but it takes two to have a conversation. And when China is prepared to have that conversation, we're very pleased to do so. They've set out 14 points and many Australians would be aware of what they relate to. They go to how Australia runs our democracy, then goes to the freedom of the press. And these are matters that they've raised as concerns. They are not matters with which Australia is prepared to provide any change to, quite rightly. And as a result, we're very happy to engage in them. But that is really a matter for China. Australia is providing no barrier to any dialogue with China.
Liam Bartlett: Prime Minister, would you concede that if the Chinese decide, at some point, at any point, to treat our iron ore the same way it’s already taken action against our coal, our barley, our wine, we are in serious strife aren’t we?
Prime Minister: Australia will always act in our national interest, Liam. We will always stand up for what we believe in, we will always be consistently clear about where we stand on these issues. I mean, that is no different to what any Australian Government should ever do, or I believe has done in the past. There's a very changed situation. And I think Australians would very much expect our government, my government, to be true to who we are. It's a very straightforward proposition, very straightforward and very clear.
Liam Bartlett: As you know, WA’s Premier Mark McGowan is struggling to understand the rhetoric and the tone of the rhetoric, the language your Government is using against China. I’d like to play you, right now Prime Minister, just a little part of what he said, just to get your reaction.
[excerpt of Mark McGowan comments plays.]
Liam Bartlett: Is he right, Prime Minister?
Prime Minister: Well, I spoke with the Premier yesterday, we met. We often meet when I'm in town and we had a good chat about these issues yesterday. I mean, barley producers in Australia, wine growers in Australia, have been targeted with trade sanctions that we believe are completely unconscionable. And we are seeking to take those up in the World Trade Organisation to see them resolved there. That's what Australia is doing. Whether it's wheat, sorry whether it's barley or whether it's wine or any other exported commodity or product out of Australia, then, of course, we would expect our products and commodities to be treated fairly in accordance with international law.
Liam Bartlett: Absolutely.
Prime Minister: Our international, and that's what we're that's what we're doing.
Liam Bartlett: Absolutely, but he’s doubling down isn’t he?
Prime Minister: And so, you've got to call trade issues out. If you believe in an open trading system. If you don't have an open trading system backed by an international rule of law, well, it's very hard to be a trading country in this world. And that's the key point that I was making yesterday when I was speaking here in Perth.
Liam Bartlett: Yes.
Prime Minister: And that is these rules based order - we need to stand up for them because our livelihoods depend on it.
Liam Bartlett: That’s if the other side recognises the rule book, that’s the problem..
Prime Minister: Well, this is the challenge that we will continue to discuss when we, when I get to Cornwall, and it's important that liberal democracies, like minded countries, middle democracies work very closely with countries like Vietnam, in the region, and obviously has a very different system to ours. But they have a very strong view about the international maritime law and how that operates in their part of the world. And we've been so very supportive of the position that they've taken. But a world that is, that is run by rules and laws, that all countries are accountable to, is very important. That protects us. And that's what we're standing up for. And no matter how large or small a country is, it's important that we all embrace that and work to that.
Liam Bartlett: How confident are you, Prime Minister, that China will keep buying our iron ore?
Prime Minister: Well, the forecast I have is that, you know, the thing about Australian iron ore is it's the best in the world and when people need it, they buy it. And that puts Australia in a very strong position.
Liam Bartlett: You could argue that our wine was in the same category. I mean, the point is, if they wake up tomorrow and stop buying it, we’re in serious trouble aren’t we?
Prime Minister: Well, this is not a prospect that I believe would be in their interests or Australia's, and it's very important when you're working in this area that you understand that what the shared interests are. I think it provides the best way forward. It's in Australia and China's interests to continue our trade and indeed our trade continues to go at record levels. And that is because it's in both countries interests for that to occur. And that's what I'm focused on.
Liam Bartlett: Prime Minister, talking about shared interests, when you meet Boris Johnson next week, will you be signing a free trade agreement with the UK?
Prime Minister: We're still working on those details now.
Liam Bartlett: So, it’s not finalised?
Prime Minister: No, not yet.
Liam Bartlett: To the vaccination rollout, Prime Minister. Why don’t you take the lead on this, why don’t you put a firm date on Australia opening up and give people a reason to get the jab?
Prime Minister: Because the medical advice doesn't support that.
Liam Bartlett: Doesn’t support, what? Having a date at some point in the future?
Prime Minister: There's no medical advice that I've received at any point in time, which gives a magical number of vaccinations that enable you to provide that level of assuredness to Australians about when that can occur. Because, I mean, you don't go from shut one day, fully open the next. That's not how it works. What you can do over a period of time, is you can build up your ability to open up to more and more groups of people coming to Australia. It's not, doesn't happen overnight. And as we continue to make very good progress, and we are. In the last seven days, we've had almost 850,000 vaccinations. I mean, that's getting to almost three times what it was when I was back here in Perth last time. So there's been a significant ramp up and it's continuing to occur and Australians are getting the jab. And I'm keen for wherever there's a dose available and an arm that's available, than I want to connect those two as quickly as possible. And that's what the states are doing with us. And we're really seeing that take-up occur. And so we're very, we welcome that. And that keeps giving us options. But it is not as binary as the question suggests.
Liam Bartlett: So, you don’t think giving people a finish line, even if you had to move that finish line, would be an encouragement for people to go and get vaccinated?
Prime Minister: Well, I wouldn't mislead people, I mean, all the way through, we've been very careful to try and understand the medical advice that goes around this pandemic. I mean, I'm going to Singapore. I'm going to Singapore.
Liam Bartlett: Prime Minister, you were the one who said you know ‘we can’t live under a doona’. Those were your words, not mine.
Prime Minister: Sure. And I don't wish to see us do that forever. I don't wish to see us doing for us any longer than it's absolutely possible in terms of having our borders shut. But our borders will remain shut as long as it's in Australia's interests, to protect the health of Australians, but also I'll say Liam, to protect Australia's economy. Australia's economy is world leading. There won't be another G7 country sitting around the table that can say that their economy is bigger than Australia’s was before the pandemic or that there's more people employed in their economy today than before the pandemic. South Korea can say that, but Australia's position is even stronger than that.
Liam Bartlett: OK, so we don’t have any percentage point. I mean getting back to your point about the medical advice, we don’t have any percentage point? 60, 70, 80 per cent of Australians?
Prime Minister: No, I mean, and I'll tell you why. I mean, you go to, where I'm heading to the UK. I mean, they have vaccination rates in the 70s and with their older population even higher than that. And they have 4,000 cases a day Liam, daily. 4,000 cases a day.
Liam Bartlett: They also have borders open to a lot more countries than we do.
Prime Minister: Exactly, so if you're suggesting that we should be aiming for a position where we can have 4,000 cases a day, then no, I don't think Australians would agree with you. I don't agree with you. And the medical advice doesn't support that for Australia's position. See, in countries around the world, Liam, they lost that battle long ago, they lost that long ago.
Liam Bartlett: We know the history. But how do we learn to live with it for the future?
Prime Minister: Well, this is what we are doing, Liam. This is exactly why the vaccination programme is incredibly important and that will give us more and more and more options going forward. But I'm not about to swing the doors open and open up to Australia to 4,000 cases a day. I mean, you know what that would do, it would shut the country down internally and it would ruin our economy. So we're not about to do that either. So we'll continue, I think, to get the balance right.
Liam Bartlett: [inaudible]
Prime Minister: Well, Liam, if we had 4,000 cases a day, do you think there wouldn't be a border up in every single part of this country?
Liam Bartlett: No doubt, but you’re talking hypotheticals, aren’t you?
Prime Minister: Well, you're raising hypotheticals with me, Liam. So, if we want to talk about hypotheticals.
Liam Bartlett: You’ve just pulled 4,000 people out of the air.
Prime Minister: No, I'll tell you what's real, I'll tell you what's real. Vaccination rates in the UK of over 70 per cent and over 4,000 cases a day. Vaccination rates where I'm going today in Singapore, which are over 40 per cent, and they are in lockdown. So what we've always learnt from this pandemic is there are no absolutes. The virus writes the rules. You get the balance right as best as you possibly can. The Australian way has been the most successful in the world, along with a handful of other countries, like New Zealand, where I was just a week or so ago, following a very similar path. And that means that we've got more people in work, our economy's bigger. We haven't had the carnage of the hundreds of thousands of deaths we've seen all around the world, more, millions of deaths. Here in this country, we've fared extremely well. And we want to maintain that.
Liam Bartlett: Prime Minister, I know you’re a busy man. You’ve got to get on a plane, we really appreciate your time. But just before you go, on one other subject, and we spoke about this a lot on the program yesterday, talking about opening countries up, this is only for a small amount of people. But the Afghan interpreters left behind in that country, when are we all going to give all of them a visa and get them out?
Prime Minister: Well, we're working on that right now, and I can't go into too much detail because I don't want to put anyone who is the subject of what we're doing there in any position of risk or danger. This is not the first time we've done that. When I was Immigration Minister, we were involved in a very similar role with interpreters and others who were assisting us many years ago. And so this is a programme we know well, we've done it before and we will work through this steadily. And our form and our record is being able to use our special humanitarian visa processes to do the right thing.
Liam Bartlett: You’d agree, wouldn’t you, that if they were good enough to work aside Aussie Diggers in battle, they’re automatically good enough to live here, aren’t they?
Prime Minister: Well, what I just said was we've been faced with this exact same situation before and we've answered that question positively. That's our form, that's our record. That's what we've done. And we will act consistently with what we've done in the past. In fact, what I personally did on a very similar set of cases many years ago, we know what we need to do here and we're getting it done.
Liam Bartlett: And time is of the essence, isn’t it?
Prime Minister: Always is.
Liam Bartlett: Prime Minister, thank you very much for your time this morning.
Prime Minister: Thanks a lot, Liam. All the best.
Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Australia
10 June 2021
Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Singapore
1. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 10 June 2021 in Singapore for the sixth Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Meeting. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the longstanding friendship and deep bilateral collaboration between the two countries, anchored in shared strategic and economic interests. They reaffirmed the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as unique in its ability to be constructive, expansive and forward-looking, and welcomed the progress made since the virtual fifth Annual Leaders’ Meeting in March 2020, in spite of the challenges presented by COVID-19. They also welcomed the entry into force of the Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement in December 2020.
2. The Prime Ministers agreed that in an increasingly uncertain and complex strategic environment, Australia and Singapore are like-minded partners with a high degree of strategic trust. They welcomed the entry into force of the Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development in 2020. The leaders undertook to increase the frequency and complexity of professional exchanges, dialogues and training activities between the two countries. The Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which is in its 50th year. Prime Minister Morrison affirmed Australia’s commitment to expanding its defence presence in the region.
3. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of open borders to the post-pandemic recovery and committed to resuming two-way cross-border travel when the public health situation in both countries permits. They welcomed the ongoing discussions between border, health, transport, and other officials to identify detailed operational requirements for COVID-19-safe travel, including discussions on health and vaccination certificates. They also discussed cooperating on welcoming the return of Singaporean students to Australia to continue with their studies.
4. The Prime Ministers welcomed the following new initiatives which will deepen the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Driven by their mutual support for practical action on climate change, and building on progress under the 2020 MoU on low emissions solutions, the Australian and Singaporean governments will join business in a public-private partnership on low emissions maritime and shipping, with a combined initial contribution of up to A$30 million. The initiative will see business and government in Australia and Singapore work together on low emissions fuels and technologies, including clean hydrogen and clean ammonia, to drive down emissions in maritime shipping and port operations.
Both sides will start discussions on an Australia-Singapore FinTech Bridge. The FinTech Bridge will enhance cooperation on FinTech policy and regulation and look for opportunities for collaboration on joint innovation projects, as well as facilitate investments and new business opportunities in digital trade and financial services. The FinTech Bridge will build on the strong foundations of the Digital Economy Agreement between the two countries.
Both health ministries have signed a new MoU to enhance cooperation on healthcare and health technologies, which will facilitate deeper exchanges of information, knowledge and expertise to support timely and affordable access to medicines and health technologies for Singaporeans and Australians.
The Australian Federal Police and Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency have agreed to sign a MoU on operational science and technology cooperation to develop and enhance capabilities for homeland security and law enforcement agencies to prevent crime and maintain law and order.
Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will renew their MoU on cooperation as an important marker that despite the pandemic, our cultural exchanges continue to flourish through innovative and digital ways of working and performing together.
5. The Prime Ministers also exchanged views on regional cooperation and international issues. They discussed COVID-19’s impact on communities, health systems, economies and supply chains. They agreed to continue to share best practices in tackling the pandemic, work closely together to keep markets open and supply chains functioning, and support regional efforts for a sustainable and resilient recovery. They reiterated their commitment to the region’s access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, including through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility.
6. The Prime Ministers recognised that a strong, cohesive, and responsive ASEAN is vital to the region’s success and recovery. They reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture, particularly the East Asia Summit as the region’s premier Leaders-led forum for strategic discussion. They agreed to work together to further enhance the ASEAN-Australia relationship, and expressed support for an open, inclusive, rules-based and resilient region, consistent with the principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. They also welcomed the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, as a signal of support for the multilateral rules-based trading system underlining the importance of free and open trade and investment for COVID-19 recovery, and urged continued efforts by RCEP signatories to ensure the entry into force of the RCEP by 1 January 2022.
7. The Prime Ministers shared their concerns on developments in Myanmar and called for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of all political detainees including foreigners, and inclusive dialogue between all parties. They agreed that ASEAN could play an important role in facilitating a peaceful solution in Myanmar and called for implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar adopted at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 24 April 2021, as soon as possible. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintain and promote peace, security and stability in the region, as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is universal in character and sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. They underlined Australia and Singapore’s strong support for freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded trade in the South China Sea. They also emphasised the importance of non-militarisation of disputed features and self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. They urged all claimants to take meaningful steps to ease tensions and build trust, including through dialogue. They acknowledged work towards a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and emphasised the importance of the Code being effective and consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. They agreed Australia and Singapore would remain in close contact on regional issues.
Media Statement
10 June 2021
At the invitation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, I will travel to Cornwall, United Kingdom from 11 to 13 June for the G7 Leaders’ Summit.
There has never been a more important time for Australia to be at the table with the world’s largest liberal democracies and advanced economies.
The global pandemic and the recession it has caused means likeminded counties and businesses need to work together to lead the global recovery to restore lives and livelihoods.
There is a lot at stake for Australia, the region and the world.
Later today, I will visit Singapore to hold my Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
I look forward to discussing cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, health and economic responses to COVID-19 and sharing perspectives on developments in the Indo-Pacific.
The G7 Summit will be my first travel outside the Indo-Pacific region since the beginning of the pandemic and will provide an opportunity to meet many leaders for the first time since 2019.
I look forward to working and engaging with all of the leaders, including Prime Minister Johnson, President Biden, Prime Minister Suga, Prime Minister Trudeau, President Macron, Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Draghi, as well as President Moon, President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi.
We will discuss strengthening preparedness for future pandemics; promoting our future prosperity, business-led growth and championing free and fair trade, tackling climate change and protecting our planet; and supporting open societies, open economies and the international rules-based order.
Importantly, regional security in the Indo-Pacific will be a central part of our discussions.
Following the G7 in Cornwall, I will travel to London for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Johnson, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, ministers, senior national security and intelligence officials, and business leaders.
I look forward to engaging with the UK – Australia’s oldest friend – on our Free Trade Agreement.
I will also visit Paris to meet with President Macron and discuss how Australia and France can strengthen our defence and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to meet the region’s strategic challenges.
I will take the opportunity to visit the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to celebrate its 60th anniversary and discuss priorities with Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, who assumed the role on 1 June 2021.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will be Acting Prime Minister during the period 10-17 June, while I am away.
During this time I will remain in constant contact with my ministers and officials regarding the health and economic responses to COVID-19 in Australia.
On my return to Australia, I will strictly follow health advice and quarantine requirements, as will accompanying staff, officials and media.
Q&A, Perth USAsia Centre - Perth, WA
9 June 2021
PROFESSOR GORDON FLAKE: You know, I wonder if you might talk a little bit more about what you see as the potential for hydrogen in your Government's priorities going forward. But more importantly for Australia's role in addressing on a technological level, the challenges of climate change.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the development of hydrogen in Australia will be one of the most exciting developments and biggest game changers in the transformation of the Australian economy, the new energy economy that will be a reality over the next 30 years. It just so happens, I was talking to a Western Australian this morning, I was talking to Andrew Forrest earlier today and he was in another far-flung [inaudible] early hours of the morning. And what has been done in our resources sector, we were having that conversation at our table, is a transformation and a realisation of what the energy economy's going to look like over the next 40 years. So that's just the reality.
The way the world will move towards zero emissions, I'm a firm believer that will be realised by technology, entrepreneurship, it will be realised by commercial transformation. Governments can provide a context for it, they can provide a framework to support it. But all the great energy revolutions of the world, going back centuries have always ultimately come through technological change and commercial enterprise. That's what's actually changed the world each and every time. Gas revolution in the United States, a classic example of how that fundamentally transformed, not only the U.S. domestic economy, manufacturing, but also geopolitics. And there wasn't, barely a government involved in it. Technology exploration, commercial interests and entrepreneurism - the world changed. I see it playing out the same way, as the world moves into a new energy economy which is supporting a net zero emissions outcome. But the only way that will be achieved is where companies like in Australia, which I think will be the showcase on the world. Australia's resources companies, will be the showcase around the world for how they've transformed their operations in the new energy economy to do what they do and be the best in the world at doing it. So many look in at Australia from far away and they look at our resources industry and they tend to think this is the reason why the world is warming, but quite the contrary. I think it will be our resources sector that will demonstrate how the world will change because of the incredible technological revolution that has taken place in that sector, whether it's in a hydrogen powered mining vehicle. Significant [inaudible] companies operate in Australia have their targets and they have been fully operational in some cases this year. And this story of Australia's technological innovation whether it be in the resources sector, whether it be in the aluminium smelting business or green aluminium, green steel, all of these things. This is what will enable Australia to do this and that's what our technology roadmap is about achieving. It's about ensuring that the hydrogen hubs that will be set up around the country will see that combination of innovation, commercialisation, research, technology and partnerships.
And the partnerships I listed a set of countries in my remarks, whether it be Germany, the United Kingdom, United States, South Korea, Japan and many others. They're all for the same solve, and hydrogen is in the middle of every single one of these conversations. There is not a conversation that I have about net zero, a conversation that I have about the new energy economy, that does not have hydrogen at the centre of that discussion. And here in Australia, we will, I believe, have the best regulatory environment. That's what we must achieve. And we need to ensure that around the world that the regulatory environment and taxation environments and others, do not see the development of the hydrogen economy in any way held back. We need to ensure that our regulatory systems embrace it and nurture it and enable what they can achieve to be achieved. That's how you address climate change.
PROFESSOR GORDON FLAKE: Well, if our experience in Western Australia is any indication, in your upcoming conversations with Prime Minister Suga from Japan and President Moon from South Korea, I'm very confident they'll be raising Hydrogen with you.
PRIME MINISTER: They will.
PROFESSOR GORDON FLAKE: There is a really busy international summit calendar. And one meeting that didn't get as much attention as it should have in Australia, was that remarkable virtual summit that you held on the 13th of March, of the Quad, of the United States, Japan, India and Australia. And against expectations the agenda that came out of that was quite far reaching, focusing on obviously climate change, but also on vaccines and vaccine diplomacy and technology etc. It really marked not just the first time ever the Quad was held at a leaders level, but also a much broader agenda than that. So, in the context of now the G7, the work that you've done in the G20 in the past, would you help us place the Quad and tell us how you see that very important relationship moving forward in the Indo-Pacific?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the first point I'd make is the point I make about the G7 Plus dialogue, and that is it is not a club. Not a club. It is a group of like-minded partnerships, liberal democracies, advanced economies that share a set of interests for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and that we want to enable that by our collective efforts, not just in areas which have been traditionally in defence cooperation, but more broadly in technology, in supply chains, in humanitarian efforts, in emergency response, in health and social policy, to demonstrate that this group of liberal democracies, advanced economies, which have benefited greatly from the region, are also investing back to part of the region to ensure that that prosperity and that freedom and that independence and that sovereignty can be enjoyed by all the nations of the Indo-Pacific.
We see the Quad together as leaders as an enabler. We see it as an accelerator of freedoms and prosperity and living standards within our region. We each individually do many things. And Australia has had and continues to have a remarkable relationship with ASEAN, and particularly Australia and Japan, because we live here, and India specifically, we understood the importance of the Quad and ASEAN being central to this outlook for the Indo-Pacific. And so this is why this is not a grouping, as I said, as a club that is seeking to compete or differentiate itself, it is another forum in which we are participating together to enable whether it is the agendas for these outcomes that ASEAN is pursuing. Or how we engage with that together through the East Asia Summit, which I put this as one of the first meetings that go in my calendar every year, if not the first. I can see Stephen nodding, I am sure it was the first in yours too. It is the most important meeting in our region because it brings together so many economies from so many different perspectives. So we take that very, very seriously. And I greatly appreciate it, from the President, his understanding of that and the importance of ASEAN and how it's about enabling the nations, their capability, their self-sufficiency, their sovereignty, their independence and so it's important for us as a Quad to keep reassuring the region that this is what it's about.
Now, equally we all share a view that it is another opportunity to demonstrate the virtue and value of liberal democracies and to see markets succeed. We're here to see trade expand. We're here to see technology transfer. We're here to enable all of those things, beyond what some might have seen purely in a quite narrow security, defence interests, which is of course important. But it is just so much more than that. And I think the President articulated it well in our meeting, and he enjoyed warm support from the rest of us who have been having those discussions, the three of us, Narendra and even most recently, Yoshi and I, and before it was Shinzo Abe, who was a key driver of that dialogue throughout the region.
PROFESSOR GORDON FLAKE: So the quote that in your speech that struck me is that quote that you attributed to President Biden saying that the Quad must demonstrate that liberal democracies at work. And I think you're probably pretty pleased with the press coverage today about your trip to the G7, suggesting that a strong economy and a remarkable response to COVID, that you're in a strong position. But, in some respects, the G7 Plus is preaching to the converted. So you highlighted that you can go back to the Biden quote, we have to prove that liberal democracies work to a broad audience. So the question I would have, whether it was ASEAN or the rest of the world, what does the G7 Plus or the Quad need to do to get the message out?
PRIME MINISTER: To get involved. So, I maybe don’t share the assessment of the- I'm not going to there to tell other liberal democracies that liberal democracies work. If they haven't worked that out by now, I can't help them. And they do know, they do understand. It's about, that we need, like I suspect in no time we've had to for a very long time, to be aligned in how we get that message across to the rest of the world that liberal democracies do provide a pathway to prosperity and freedom, which is incredibly important. And we believe that leads to greater stability within the region. And we respect other nations and their borders and their sovereignty, and whatever system they have in place. Like-minded is a term we tend to use, and it doesn't only refer to liberal democracies. I'll give you an example. Australia's relationship right now with Vietnam has probably never been better. Not saying that it was bad before, but it has been building over many years. We share, Vietnam and Australia, very similar views on the challenges and issues within the Indo-Pacific. Particularly, in the South China Sea, freedom of navigation and [inaudible], and all of those issues, we share very similar views. We share very similar views on trade. We share very similar views on technology. And on COVID. I just spoke to the new Prime Minister very recently and this is what we were discussing. So the message to G7, the message for Quad is we live here, we are involved. But what I'm seeing is that there's a need for greater alignment amongst liberal democracies a little bit further from here, that what is happening here in the Indo-Pacific and the strategic competition, which is occurring [inaudible], Australia and countries of the region, it extends globally and it is necessary for that appreciation to be stressed, or I should say enhanced. And I'm seeking to encourage even greater alignment amongst the liberal democracies of the world to understand where we're at right now and what we all need to do.
PROFESSOR GORDON FLAKE: So let me ask one final question that I think will be of particular interest here in Western Australia, where there is such an intense reliance on exports, upon the liberal rules-based system. In your remarks, you made a very clear point that it's not about a closed circle. It's about maintaining an open rules based system. I wonder if you make an assessment of number one, where do you think the primary challenges are to that rules-based system? And then the particular role of Australia, we're one member now of the G7 Plus, we are one member of the Quad, we are one member of the G20, what is our role? Because, again, we do have this mantra about a rules based order, a liberal rules based system, because we rely on it so much. What is our role in maintaining it and expanding it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I have two favourite quotes which go to the answer. One was from Bill English, the former New Zealand Prime Minister who said 'no one's ever got rich selling things to themselves.' And he said that at a dialogue that we had, which was pointing out that Australia and New Zealand are shared in our outlook about the need for trade to be the basis of our prosperity as trading nations. So Bill's right. And Australia's prosperity will always depend on being an open trading environment. The second one relates to how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And that's what dealing with reform in the WTO is a bit like. But that doesn't mean it's not time to chow down. You need to. You need to take each and every step.
Now what are the steps that can be taken? The two biggest challenges and Robert and I were discussing this at the table before. Of course, the Appellate Body and the frustrations that have been present there for some time, need to be resolved. Need to be sorted. This thing needs to start working again and resolving disputes. The other part is these organisations can be incredibly bureaucratic and they can take an enormously long time. And so it's important that the justice of the outcomes around trade disputes not just be delivered, but delivered in a timely way and we need to redouble our efforts to ensure that can be achieved. Otherwise, the rules based order will become impotent when it comes to these things. Now, you can start to do that, this is the one bite at a time principle, by focusing on particular areas where you may speed it up. Our digital trade agreements, we concluded one with Singapore a few years ago now, and what we've done in trying to reform rules around digital commerce and online commerce has been one of the more positive developments where we have seen [inaudible] take place in this space. Disputes are best resolved if they never have to end up in those processes, but knowing they work and they'll be there is integral to ensure the front-end of it more effectively. So I think where Australia's focus is ensuring that there are standards and various agreements are existing between nations, in new areas of commerce, are very compliant with what the broader principles are.
So, our technicians in the trade space are doing a lot of work [inaudible], and we've got a lot of kudos and a lot of good credibility, I think the progress we're making there. So we'll keep doing that. It's a very painstaking and detailed agenda and it just requires continued application and having more like minded nations around the world working with us to that end. And the larger economies of the world will always have particular interests that sometimes can clash with these reforms efforts and we've seen that. And I'm not talking about China, the US position in these areas has of course been greatly frustrating. But we can have those honest conversations with them and I look forward to having them again, and Australia won't be the only one making those points. But we make those points as friends, seeking the outcome that we both wish to see achieved.
PROFESSOR GORDON FLAKE: On these specific issues, let me congratulate your Government on its foresight in supporting the candidacy of our mutual friend and your former colleague and our former Senator from WA, Mathias Cormann, who is Secretary-General of the OECD. I know for the past week he's already been in London, ahead of the G7 Finance Ministers meeting, wrestling with many of the exact same issues. So a pretty impressive advance team you've got.
PRIME MINISTER: Well just on the Mathias point, because it goes to what you were just asking. We have taken a very targeted approach to a number of multilateral fora, where we think we can add value and the OECD is a critical one. And the reason we decided to do that was to that the OECD brings together the liberal democracies of the advanced world. And so finding commonality across a whole range of these, what are often quite technical issues in regulatory systems and tax systems. That's what makes the economy work if it achieves the type of reform across jurisdictions. So Mathias will do a great job in that way, he's someone who believes strongly in business led growth, not government led growth and that's certainly our view. We see that this is the way the world will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it'll be businesses and business led economies that do that in the developed world.
National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
9 June 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Commonwealth Government is providing $146 million for the first phase of a new National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, including nearly $40 million in new funding to the AFP.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today joined Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ben Morton and Member for Swan Steve Irons at the AFP Headquarters in Perth to speak about the forthcoming National Strategy and highlight new AFP funding as part of the package.
“My Government’s number one focus is on keeping Australians safe and the AFP is at the frontline of those efforts,” the Prime Minister said.
“The Royal Commission, which recommended development of the National Strategy, revealed the shocking extent of child sexual abuse in this country.
”As part of the National Strategy, we are boosting AFP efforts with a further $59.9 million worth of initiatives, enhancing their ability to fight child sexual abuse, particularly online.”
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said Australia and the AFP had been at the forefront of tackling child sexual abuse.
“Whether it’s been setting up the AFP-led Centre to Counter Child Exploitation through to working closely with the eSafety Commissioner, our government has worked hard to ensure the AFP has the tools they need to combat child sexual abuse online or in the real world every step of the way,” Minister Andrews said.
“Charges relating to child sexual abuse across the country have increased from 372 in 2018/19, to 2,753 in 2020/21, and here in WA, those numbers have risen from 40 to 306 in the same period.
“We know this is evidence of our law enforcement efforts working – but any sexual crime against a child is one too many, and we must make sure we bring these numbers down in the long term.”
Assistant Minister Morton said that law enforcement agencies were seeing an alarming rise in charges and arrests.
“The Commonwealth has a leadership and coordination role in tackling child sexual abuse, and many of these measures address our responsibilities under the Commonwealth Criminal Code,” Assistant Minister Morton said.
“This new strategy also goes beyond law enforcement, including to prevent abuse before it occurs, to better support victims and survivors, and to reduce stigma. It is a 10 year, whole-of-nation framework to establish a coordinated and consistent approach to prevent and better respond to child sexual abuse in Australia.”
The National Strategy will complement and align with other national policy frameworks, such as the current and future National Plans to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and Closing the Gap.
Key initiatives include:
$59.9 million worth of initiatives to be delivered by the Australian Federal Police to combat child sexual abuse.
$13.9 million to bolster the capabilities of AUSTRAC, the Australian Institute of Criminology, the Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and the Department of Home Affairs to equip intelligence, research and border protection agencies to disrupt the cash flow behind child sexual abuse, prevent and disrupt livestreamed child sexual abuse, intercept material and offenders at the border, and enhance our ability to identify offenders within the community.
$7.8 million for Home Affairs to work with Indo-Pacific partners on regional policy and legislative responses to child sexual abuse.
$2.95 million to help the Department of Home Affairs build relationships with the digital industry to drive a coordinated and collaborative charge against offenders’ exploitation of online platforms to commit child sexual abuse related crimes.
$24.1 million to strengthen Commonwealth capacity to prosecute perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
$16.8 million for the Attorney-General’s Department to enhance and expand legal assistance concerning child sexual abuse.
$10.9 million for the National Indigenous Australians Agency to co-design place-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing approaches to support survivors of child sexual abuse.
$4.7 million for Sport Integrity Australia to enhance child safeguarding in sport.
$3.0 million to the eSafety Commissioner to deliver targeted online education programs to support parents and families to prevent online harms to children.
$5 million to expand the National Office for Child Safety’s national leadership role to deliver the National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse.
Further announcements will be made with the full National Strategy, including additional measures to be jointly delivered by the Commonwealth and its state and territory partners.
The Morrison Government is working with states and territories as well as non-government stakeholders to finalise the National Strategy for release in September 2021. For more information, visit: the National Office for Child Safety website at https://childsafety.pmc.gov.au
Historic Australian Federal Police Operation Keeping Australians Safe
8 June 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs
More than 220 members of accused mafia, outlaw motorcycle gangs and transnational serious organised criminals have been arrested for serious drug and weapon offences under an historic Australian Federal Police-led operation.
Keeping Australians safe is the Morrison Government’s top priority and that’s why we have been giving law enforcement agencies the legislation, tools and resourcing needed to target transnational and serious organised crime syndicates trafficking and distributing illicit drugs across our country.
Operation Ironside has so far led to the arrest of 224 offenders on 526 charges in every mainland Australian state. More arrests are expected domestically under a coordinated global response.
3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 firearms and weapons, and almost $45 million have been seized under Operation Ironside since 2018.
As part of the global operation more than 9,000 officers from law enforcement have deployed to the international effort, with more than 4,500 members from the AFP and state and territory police helping to execute hundreds of warrants across Australia since yesterday.
Operation Ironside began almost three years ago and is the Australian component of a long-term, international, covert investigation. The FBI and AFP targeted a dedicated encrypted platform used exclusively by organised crime.
The AFP provided the highly-skilled, technical staff and capability to decrypt and read encrypted communication in real time, giving law enforcement an edge it had never had.
The FBI had access to a new platform named AN0M and began running it without the knowledge of the criminal underworld.
The Federal Government congratulates the AFP for their dedication to keeping Australia safe and acknowledges the state and territory agencies for their support of Operation Ironside.
This is as a warning to organised crime in Australia, and abroad – the AFP and Australia’s law enforcement agencies have a laser-like focus in bringing them to justice.
The Morrison Government has resourced the AFP with more than $1 billion for a seven year plan to help them tackle the risks our community faces from organised crime, criminals and terrorists.
The Government has also introduced a number of bills to bolster Australian agencies’ fight against organised crime. This includes the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020; the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Bill 2020 and the Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2020.
Australia thanks the FBI for its cooperation, along with the 18 countries that worked with the AFP through a EUROPOL Operational Task Force to maintain the integrity of AN0M.
2021 Prime Minister’s National Spelling Bee Winners Announced
7 June 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Education and Youth
The winners of this year’s Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee have been announced, with three young Australians tackling some of the toughest words in the dictionary to top the country.
Almost 21,000 students from 490 schools around Australia took part in this year’s competition.
Obstreperous, connoisseur, meteorological and chihuahua were some of the words the top performers managed to spell correctly.
The national winners are:
Arielle Wong from Donvale Christian College, VIC (Year 3/4 category)
Theekshitha Karthik from Haileybury College, VIC (Years 5/6 category)
Evan Luc-Tran from The McDonald College, NSW (Year 7/8 category)
Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated the winners and all those who took part in this year’s competition.
“Well done to all the students across the country who took up the challenge, and congratulations to all the winners,” the Prime Minister said.
“Whether you’re a Prime Minister or a plumber, a teacher or a doctor, a fighter pilot or a scientist, spelling and reading are foundation skills you’re always going to need.”
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said it was great to see a mix of students from a range of schools right around the country represented in the finals.
“Well done to everyone who took part and a particular thank you to all the teachers who encouraged and supported their students,” Minister Tudge said.
“As a Victorian, I was pleased to see so many kids from my home state in the finals.
“Improving school standards, particularly in literacy and numeracy are top priorities for me and the Government and events like the spelling bee are a great way for students to improve their skills.”
New Richmond Bridge and Bypass to Cut Traffic and Create Jobs
7 June 2021
Prime Minister, Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Communications, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, New South Wales Treasurer, New South Wales Minister for Tansport and Roads
A new Richmond bridge and bypass will now become a reality, cutting travel time and creating jobs, following an additional $250 million investment from the Morrison and Berejiklian governments.
The new two lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River will also include a bypass of Richmond and North Richmond, creating an estimated 850 direct and indirect jobs.
The funding boost includes $200 million from the Commonwealth and $50 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget, and brings the total joint commitment to $500 million.
The preferred route will involve a bypass of North Richmond connecting to a new two-lane bridge north of the existing bridge. A new roadway will bypass Richmond to the south, connecting from Old Kurrajong Road to the Driftway.
The community has now been invited to give feedback on the proposed route, supporting road alignments, community impacts, and potential revitalisation of the Richmond and North Richmond town centres.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth’s $400 million commitment to the project would help improve road safety and reduce travel times in the area, and support the future growth of Western Sydney.
“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the Western Sydney economy, its residents, workers and businesses by busting congestion, improving safety and creating jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This critical infrastructure will alleviate the long-term bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond created from the existing Richmond Bridge operating at capacity during peak hour, helping make the commute to and from work significantly easier.
“Our record infrastructure funding right across Australia is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”
Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian said the Commonwealth and NSW governments have a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road infrastructure right across the state, like this project at Richmond.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The new bridge is proposed to be built 500 metres downstream from the current Richmond Bridge, which currently funnels more than 31,000 vehicles each day directly through the already busy Richmond and North Richmond town centres.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said this was one of the many congestion busting projects being delivered by the Morrison Government as part of its $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline to help commuters get home sooner and safer.
“This additional funding commitment for this critical infrastructure project follows robust consultation with the local community to ensure that the project delivers the greatest travel time savings, has no direct impact to heritage listed properties and has less impact on endangered ecological communities – which were all recurring themes out of the consultation process,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Once completed, the bridge duplication and bypass will cut travel time for drivers by up to 12 minutes, boosting productivity and busting congestion for commuters.”
New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Budget will continue the NSW Government’s investment in vital road upgrades to keep people safe while also supporting our state’s economic growth.
“We know every dollar spent on these upgrades at Richmond and North Richmond will make a big difference to drivers in this area every day and at the same time will provide much needed jobs during our economic recovery from the pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the preferred option includes upgrading six intersections, existing roads and building new road sections, as well as funding active transport.
“The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network, while the existing Richmond Bridge will continue to provide a vital link between Richmond and North Richmond,” Mr Constance said.
“Recent intersection upgrades at Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads and Grose Vale and Bells Line of Road are already improving traffic in the area, alongside current works at the intersection of March and Bosworth streets.”
Face-to-face community information sessions will be held on Wednesday 16 June from 5pm to 7pmand on Saturday 19 June from 10am to 12pm at the North Richmond Community Centre.
An online information session will also be held on Monday 28 June from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page.
Community consultation closes on Monday 5 July, with all feedback to be considered by Transport for NSW. For more information, visit Richmond Bridge duplication and traffic improvements.
National Cabinet Statement
4 June 2021
The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
There have been 30,150 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 18.7 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
Globally there have been over 172 million cases and sadly over 3.69 million deaths, with 483,968 new cases and 10,553 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to expand. To date 4,786,362 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 143,659 in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, more than 750,000 vaccines have been administered in Australia. To date 19.9 per cent of the Australian adult population have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 56 per cent of over 70 year olds.
National Cabinet agreed on the imperative to work together to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Australians as quickly as possible.
Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group and Secretary of the Health Department provided a detailed briefing on the vaccination program, and acknowledged the significant increase in COVID-19 vaccination take up following National Cabinet’s recalibration of the vaccine rollout in April 2021. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on COVID-19 epidemiology, particularly in relation to the current outbreak in Victoria.
National Cabinet received an update on the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Taskforce from the Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Phil Gaetjens. The taskforce will continue to advise on gradual, risk-based increases to international travel, including exploring additional travel bubbles and increasing arrivals of skilled migrants and international students, while continuing to prioritise the return of Australians from overseas.
National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 9 July 2021 in Darwin, with all members attending in person.
Vaccination Rollout
National Cabinet agreed to refine the national vaccination rollout plan to maximise opportunities for Australians to be vaccinated over the second half of the year, as the supply of vaccines increases.
National Cabinet thanked Health Associate Secretary Caroline Edwards for her role in leading the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 health response and vaccination rollout. Ms Edwards has announced her retirement from the public service after a distinguished career over several decades.
As the vaccination program moves into the next phase Lieutenant General John (JJ) Frewen DSC, AM, will become the head of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce. Lieutenant General Frewen established the COVID-19 ADF Taskforce in 2020 and commanded military support during the Victorian second wave.
Commodore Eric Young will continue to have a senior leadership role in the Commonwealth Vaccine Operations Centre.
The National COVID Vaccine Taskforce will help ensure as many Australians are vaccinated as early as possible within the available supply.
National Cabinet further agreed that primary care will continue to be a principal delivery channel of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, noting the importance of developing this capacity for longer term use, supported by continuing expansion of state and territory-operated sites and other points of vaccination, particularly in the fourth quarter 2021.
The vaccination rollout will continue to prioritise vaccinations for people in Phase 1a through simplified and streamlined access at all state and territory-operated sites, including for example by providing walk-in access and no requirement to pre-book an appointment.
National Cabinet agreed to opening access to a COVID-19 vaccine to the following groups by 8 June 2021:
people aged 40-49 years not otherwise eligible;
all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 49 years;
NDIS participants aged 16 years and over and carers aged 16 years and over of NDIS participants of any age; and
temporary visa holders aged under 50 years who are currently in Australia and have been approved for return travel to Australia through the travel exemption process.
National Cabinet further agreed to not proceed with the identification of ‘other essential and high priority workers’ in Phase 2a, given the difficulty defining these populations and the expansion to people aged 40-49 years.
National Cabinet noted that the Commonwealth has released over 7.1 million doses to vaccine sites as at 31 May 2021. Under the vaccine rollout program, surplus vaccine doses are able to be surged into outbreak areas to increase opportunities for Australians to be vaccinated.
The Commonwealth reconfirmed that states and territories do not need to provision for second doses as the Commonwealth retains doses for second use. States and territories are able to administer all doses supplied by the Commonwealth.
Post Quarantine Testing Arrangements
National Cabinet asked the AHPPC to provide advice on post 14-day quarantine testing standards and arrangements to ensure nationally consistent standards reflect the latest medical advice.
Mandatory Vaccinations of Aged Care and Disability Workers
National Cabinet reaffirmed the importance of Aged Care and Disability workers being vaccinated as soon as possible.
National Cabinet indicated an in-principle disposition to mandating aged care and disability workforce COVID vaccinations, and has tasked AHPPC to provide advice on this matter as soon as possible.
National Cabinet noted that influenza vaccinations are able to be mandated under state public health orders and other similar state and territory legislative arrangements, based on health advice.
Domestic Vaccine Certification
National Cabinet welcomed the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate and the work of Services Australia and the Department of Health on the design and functionality for deployment. The certificate will soon be available through the Medicare Express app, with a future digital wallet version to be made available in July.
States and territories may consider the potential future value of COVID-19 digital certificates when considering automatic travel exemptions for interstate travel during state-determined lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Stand-alone Quarantine Facilities - Commonwealth Partnership Assessment Criteria
Today, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding to progress negotiations on Victoria’s proposal for an alternative quarantine hub.
The MoU formalises the principles agreed between the Commonwealth and Victoria to guide negotiations, including covering potential ownership of the facility, operating costs, and other key elements. The Victorian Government will be responsible for operation including operational costs and the Commonwealth will support capital costs. The MoU does not specify a site for the facility with both the Avalon site and the Mickleham site under active consideration.
The Commonwealth also tabled ‘Key Assessment Criteria’ the Commonwealth will use to assess any proposals for purpose-built quarantine facilities provided by state and territory governments seeking Commonwealth support.
Key considerations include that a proposal should be value-for-money, provide net additional quarantine capacity and work alongside (not supplant) hotel quarantine, meet the health requirements, and be for a national facility for use by all Australians. Further criteria include proximity to an international airport taking regularly scheduled international commercial passenger flights and close – within approximately 1hr vehicle transport – to a tertiary hospital, otherwise known as a principal referral hospital.
States and territories need to identify the most appropriate potential sites for quarantine capacity, reflecting their experience and the practicalities of an effective quarantine system that needs to bring together healthcare, logistics and law enforcement aspects to minimise risks.
Temporary COVID-19 Disaster Payment
National Cabinet discussed arrangements for the Temporary COVID-19 Disaster Payment. It was agreed that the Commonwealth will provide all of the funding for the demand driven program. This is on the basis that states provide all assistance to businesses, with the Council of Federal Financial Relations to consider a nationally consistent approach to providing support to businesses impacted by lockdowns.
The Commonwealth will enter into individual agreements with the states and territories on this basis to provide rapid support to those workers who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared COVID-19 hotspot and are therefore unable to attend work and earn an income as a result of state imposed health restrictions that last for more than one week.
Eligible recipients will receive up to $500 per week for losing 20 hours or more of work, and $325 per week for losing under 20 hours. They must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000.
The payment will be made in respect of the second and any subsequent weeks of restrictions, subject to a Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot being declared.
This support will be available for Australian citizens and permanent residents and eligible working visa holders. Individuals who are already receiving income support payments, business support payments, or the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will not be eligible for this new payment. To qualify, people will need to have exhausted any leave entitlements (other than annual leave) or other special pandemic leave.
The payment complements existing payments, including the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
International Passenger Caps
National Cabinet noted international passenger cap arrangements will be in place until 31 August, and will be revisited as circumstances evolve.
National Cabinet acknowledged the work of the states in facilitating the continued repatriation of Australians from overseas. In particular, National Cabinet welcomed the resumption of flights from India following a pause. The pause ensured that Australia’s quarantine system was able to be effectively managed with a significant reduction in positive cases.
Presentation by the Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors
Adrian Schrinner, Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors and Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, provided National Cabinet with a presentation on the economic impacts of the pandemic on capital cities.
National Cabinet recognised the importance of getting people back into Central Business Districts, noting that fewer people are utilising public transport and attending work in the office. National Cabinet called on businesses with global headquarters outside of Australia to ensure any restrictions on Australians workers are appropriate for Australian workplaces.
The AHPPC has been asked to consider the guidelines governing density arrangements that may be impacting a return to work and report back to National Cabinet.
Attachment
Stand-alone Quarantine accommodation - key assessment criteria and health criteria PDF 675KB
Extending Covid-19 Vaccine Access for Our Region
3 June 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women, Minister for International Development and the Pacific
The Morrison Government will contribute an additional $50 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (COVAX AMC) to ensure more people in our region and across the world have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
This additional contribution will help COVAX deliver on its objective of vaccinating 30% of populations of AMC countries, from an original goal to reach 20% of their populations.
Australia has now committed a total of $130 million to COVAX AMC.
Australia’s support for COVAX complements our $623 million Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative – which is assisting our Pacific and Southeast Asian neighbours to access and administer safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
This includes $100 million for our Quad partnership with Japan, the US and India to deliver a billion doses to Southeast Asia by the end of 2022.
Our neighbours in the Pacific and Southeast Asia have now received more than 13 million doses from COVAX, with more deliveries planned.
These vaccines are being prioritised for high-risk individuals, health workers, frontline personnel and vulnerable groups.
Australia’s contribution will assist the COVAX AMC to deliver more than 1.8 billion doses worldwide, reaching at least 114 million people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Temporary Australian Government Assistance for Workers
3 June 2021
Prime Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Agriculture Drought and Emergency Management, Minister for Government Services
Australians who have had their hours of work and income significantly affected due to state lockdowns, will be eligible for a temporary COVID Disaster Payment.
The rapid support will be paid weekly to those workers who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and are therefore unable to attend work and earn an income as a result of state imposed health restrictions, which last for greater than one week.
Eligible recipients will receive up to $500 per week for losing 20 hours or more of work, and $325 per week for losing under 20 hours. They must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000.
The payment will be made in respect of the second and any subsequent weeks of restrictions.
This support will be available for Australian citizens and permanent residents and eligible working visa holders. Individuals who are already receiving income support payments, business support payments, or the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will not be eligible for this new payment. To qualify, people will need to have exhausted any leave entitlements (other than annual leave) or other special pandemic leave.
The payment will complement existing payments including the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
By making these payments available, the Australian Government will ensure that Victorian workers get the financial support they need to stay at home during this outbreak.
Access to Services Australia Disaster Assistance will be open to the public from Tuesday at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au or over the phone on 180 22 66.
Joint Statement - Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison
31 May 2021
Prime Minister, Prime Minister of New Zealand
Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern and Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP met in Queenstown on 31 May 2021 for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting. The Australia-New Zealand relationship is unique in its closeness; we are partners and allies, and we share a relationship of family, of whānau. Through our single economic market, our people-to-people ties and our shared interests in the region and the world, Australia and New Zealand stand together.
The Prime Ministers began by acknowledging the unique role of Australia’s and New Zealand’s Indigenous peoples in the identity of both countries, including their rich cultures and languages, and their ancestral, spiritual and continuing connections to land, water and community.
COVID-19 response and recovery
The Prime Ministers were pleased to have their first in-person meeting since February last year, made possible by two-way quarantine-free travel across the Tasman
They welcomed close trans-Tasman cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that quarantine-free travel was a reflection of how hard both countries have worked to manage COVID-19. They acknowledged the toll on those in both countries who had lost loved ones, and all those who had suffered economically. They expressed condolences to countries which had experienced a far greater impact, including those battling second, third or fourth waves.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged trans-Tasman collaboration to support early COVID-19 vaccine development and purchase, including the ACT Accelerator and the COVAX Facility. They acknowledged the valuable contribution of COVAX in ensuring equitable access to vaccines, globally. They agreed to continue cooperation on vaccines, including research and development. The Prime Ministers undertook to support efforts to ensure the free international movement of medical goods, including vaccines and vaccine components.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed that together Australia and New Zealand will provide safe and effective vaccines to ensure comprehensive vaccine coverage for our Pacific family and Timor-Leste at the earliest opportunity. This complements COVAX vaccines, and doses delivered by the US and France.
The Prime Ministers also confirmed New Zealand and Australia will continue to use a variety of mechanisms to securing and delivering vaccines, including through direct support and bilateral donations to COVAX, bilateral donations to individual countries, and working through multilateral agencies such as UNICEF. Australia and New Zealand are not just providing doses, but also wrap-around support including medical supplies, consumables and support for planning, training, communications and cold storage. Australia and New Zealand will constantly work with partners in the region to reassess needs as circumstances change.
The Prime Ministers discussed plans for reconnecting our region with the rest of the world, and welcomed continued close coordination given the linked trans-Tasman border. They noted opportunities to collaborate on initiatives to extend travel options for Pacific neighbours when safe to do so, including through the trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel zone. This reflects our close ties to the Pacific and our commitment to supporting their recovery. Leaders also tasked officials to explore technological solutions to verify vaccination status to enable Australians and New Zealanders to reconnect with the wider world, alongside other technological solutions that support a safe reopening, while maintaining the trans-Tasman travel arrangements. Leaders expressed their desire to, as much as possible, write the reopening rulebook together.
Pacific
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the severe economic hardship the COVID-19 pandemic has caused for many countries in the Pacific, with tourism sectors particularly affected. They committed to continuing work already underway with Pacific governments, the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and other partners to support Pacific economies, helping affected communities and businesses. They agreed to continue advocacy with other partners for increased assistance to the region.
The Prime Ministers recognised a unified Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) provides the best mechanism for our Pacific family to have a strong international voice, and achieve outcomes on priority regional challenges. They expressed hope that the Pacific Islands Forum Troika Plus political dialogue would identify solutions for the benefit of all PIF Members.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the deep and continuing partnership between Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island partners to address regional security issues including climate change, transnational organised crime, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, cyber-security and cyber-crime, and corruption.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the entry into force of the PACER Plus Trade and Development Agreement, under which Pacific island countries will benefit from increased economic activity encouraged by customs modernisation, harmonisation and a Development and Economic Cooperation work programme supported by a dedicated implementation unit. The Prime Ministers look forward to all Signatories to the Agreement ratifying and more Pacific island countries joining the agreement in order to realise its benefits of enhanced economic integration and inclusive growth.
Trans-Tasman cooperation
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of ongoing work under the Single Economic Market agenda to promote policy and regulatory coherence, and to support economic recovery. They acknowledged that the established trans-Tasman architecture had facilitated cooperation in response to COVID-19, including on two-way quarantine-free travel.
Recognising the role of the digital economy as an enabler for all areas of the SEM agenda, the Prime Ministers welcomed agreement on a roadmap for mutual recognition of digital identity. They instructed officials to continue work towards interoperability on improving government services, payment practices policies, and the Consumer Data Right.
The Prime Ministers welcomed continuing bilateral collaboration towards a responsible approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. They welcomed the ongoing joint implementation of the Trans-Tasman Cyber Security Research Programme and its projects. They also supported bilateral and multilateral engagement on standards setting for critical and emerging technologies.
The Prime Ministers agreed on the value of policy alignment on a circular economy and directed officials to work together on issues such as data collection on waste and material flows; sharing lessons on respective waste strategies; cooperation on marine plastics; and increasing capacity of onshore processing, which will have added benefits for Pacific Island countries given our shared role as recycling and waste management hubs for the region.
The Prime Ministers instructed officials to establish a Supply Chain Dialogue, building on our respective existing and planned freight and supply chain strategies, to share experiences and seek opportunities for collaboration. They asked officials to share best practices for identifying and managing supply chain disruption risks and use this to drive information sharing and tangible joint action. They agreed addressing non‑tariff barriers will support supply chain resilience and committed to improving trans-Tasman regulatory coherence and resilience in the freight, transport and health sectors. They asked officials to explore opportunities to harness innovations from the pandemic response, and advance digital trade.
Prime Ministers welcomed work between border agencies to deliver a more seamless border for traders that manages risk while also facilitating imports and exports across our economies. They directed officials to continue work on a secure trade lane between Australia and New Zealand for low risk cargo, and on improving processes for border clearances, including through enhanced use of data and technology.
The Prime Ministers encouraged officials to ensure our countries maintain strong biosecurity by harnessing technological developments, building on close bilateral cooperation on world-leading biosecurity risk auto-detection algorithms and 3D x-ray technology. They agreed to trial use of this technology through our respective biosecurity screening approaches, commencing with pre-screening of baggage and air cargo on commercial passenger services.
The Prime Ministers recognised the importance of the Joint Food Standards System, underpinned by the Joint Food Standards System Agreement and supported by Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Prime Ministers directed officials to continue work on how the System can be maintained and improved.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to mental health initiatives that provide best practice in mental health support in emergency response and recovery. They welcomed Australia’s announcement of a $2.3 billion investment in mental health support and treatment and New Zealand’s $1.9 billion investment in a programme of cross-government initiatives, and new services, to transform its mental health and addiction system.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the passage of legislative amendments in Australia and New Zealand to enable New Zealanders to transfer unclaimed retirement savings in Australia into their KiwiSaver accounts. They instructed officials to update the Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability Arrangement to facilitate these transfers.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed Australia and New Zealand’s growing focus on economic development opportunities, jobs and growth in the Indigenous business sector. They reflected on the success of the Virtual Indigenous Trade and Connections Event, and encouraged officials to continue to share policy experiences and data to support indigenous development, such as New Zealand’s recently announced policies and targets for government procurement with Māori businesses in Aotearoa and Australia’s Indigenous Procurement Policy. The Prime Ministers look forward to future trans-Tasman trade and policy missions between our Indigenous Peoples (as border restrictions allow), as well as ongoing partnership on the New Zealand-led Te Aratini Global Indigenous Symposium at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged continued science, research and innovation cooperation under the Australia-New Zealand Science, Research and Innovation Cooperation Agreement. They welcomed progress on the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN) joint program, scheduled to be fully certified and operational by 2025. They also welcomed continuation of the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Dialogue, establishment of an Indigenous STEM Dialogue, and further work towards the development of a Trans-Tasman Innovation Ecosystem.
People-to-people ties
The Prime Ministers welcomed the return of whānau/family members, business travellers and tourists moving in both directions across the Tasman. Quarantine-free travel has reunited friends and family and provided a boost to the economic recovery in both countries, as well as enabling a resumption of face-to-face meetings between the Prime Ministers, Ministers and officials.
The Prime Ministers re-affirmed the value of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, which provides for an exceptionally high degree of freedom of movement between the two countries. They acknowledged the support each country had provided to the other’s citizens during COVID-19, including allowing those ordinarily resident in the other country to return home, and their inclusion of each other’s citizens in respective COVID-19 wage subsidy programs.
The Prime Ministers were pleased to confirm a change to the unique pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders living and working in Australia. From 1 July 2021, Australia will reduce the number of years in which applicants for the New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) permanent residence visa must reach the minimum income threshold (from four years to three). Prime Ministers also welcomed Australia’s flexibility for applicants whose income or time offshore was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and looked forward to a further review of the pathway visa in 2022.
The Prime Ministers celebrated the successful bid for New Zealand and Australia to co‑host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, one of the largest sporting events on the planet. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the opportunity to use the event to achieve lasting social impact through sport for women and girls across our Indo-Pacific region.
Climate change and the environment
The Prime Ministers agreed on the importance of ambitious and practical action in pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. They agreed to sustain close and valuable cooperation on climate change, including in the Pacific and on agricultural emissions. The Prime Ministers recognised the important contribution that innovation and accelerating the deployment of technology will play in reducing emissions. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the strong link between climate change, oceans, and biodiversity.
The Prime Ministers recognised the importance of protecting the ocean, including coral reef ecosystems, to build resilience and address biodiversity loss, along with tackling the growing problem of marine plastic pollution.
The Prime Ministers recognised that climate change remains one of the most significant long-term security and development issues facing the Pacific region. New Zealand and Australia will ensure their support for the Pacific’s COVID-19 response and recovery aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement and helps build climate and disaster resilience.
The Prime Ministers agreed to continue working closely with the Pacific to establish maritime zones and promote the preservation of these zones in the face of climate change-related sea-level rise. The Prime Ministers recognised fisheries will be a critical plank of the Pacific region’s economic recovery from COVID-19, and reaffirmed their commitment to the sustainability of the region’s fisheries and continuing to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.
The Prime Ministers emphasised the need for pragmatic solutions to address marine litter and other waste issues, and directed officials to incorporate these into their collaboration towards a circular economy. The Prime Ministers looked forward to the adoption of an ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming in October 2021.
Global trade
The Prime Ministers reiterated their support for the multilateral trading system, and the importance of a well-functioning World Trade Organization (WTO) in promoting sustainable global economic growth and prosperity, including as part of the COVID-19 recovery.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the election of WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala. They recommitted to working closely together, and with APEC partners, to deliver ambitious multilateral disciplines on fisheries subsidies by July, and a successful WTO 12th Ministerial Conference that delivers concrete outcomes and a pathway for meaningful reform. They emphasised the need for the WTO to be responsive to the pandemic through outcomes on trade and health, and welcomed joint efforts to strengthen disciplines to reduce trade- and production-distorting agriculture subsidies. The Prime Ministers also reiterated the importance of a functioning Appellate Body and welcomed plurilateral progress in services domestic regulation, and e-commerce negotiations.
The two Prime Ministers agreed on APEC’s important role in driving the Asia-Pacific region’s return to economic prosperity. They agreed to work together, in support of New Zealand’s hosting of APEC in 2021 and beyond, for a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the immediate need to remove barriers to trade in vaccines and medical supplies in the region.
The Prime Ministers affirmed their strong support for open rules-based trade that is based on market principles. They expressed concern over harmful economic coercion and agreed to work with partners to tackle security and economic challenges.
Indo-Pacific and Global security
New Zealand and Australia stand together in facing a challenging global environment. The Prime Ministers discussed responses to increasing pressure on the international rules-based system and rising protectionism, and agreed on the need for coordinated regional and global action on issues such as human rights and climate change.
The Prime Ministers reiterated their shared commitment to support an Indo-Pacific region of sovereign, resilient and prosperous states, with robust regional institutions and strong respect for international rules and norms, and where sovereign states can pursue their interests free from coercion. To this end, they committed to continue their close coordination and cooperation, as allies and partners, on current and emerging economic, security and environmental challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the benefits of open markets and inclusive regional economic integration in the Indo-Pacific. They expressed their commitment to promoting ratification and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as well as to negotiating the upgrade and modernisation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
The Prime Ministers agreed to continue working collaboratively, bilaterally, and with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region, to uphold sovereignty in an era of increasing strategic competition. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve and shared respective approaches to countering foreign interference and agreed the importance of building resilience across all sectors of society, including in education, infrastructure, research, electoral processes, media and communities.
The Prime Ministers expressed serious concern over developments in the South China Sea, including the continued militarisation of disputed features and an intensification of destabilising activities at sea. The Prime Ministers further underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight. They emphasised that maritime zones must accord with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and called on all parties to respect and implement decisions rendered through UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms. The Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of the South China Sea Code of Conduct being consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS; not prejudicing the rights and interests of third parties; and supporting existing, inclusive regional architecture.
The Prime Ministers expressed deep concern over developments that limit the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and undermine the high degree of autonomy China guaranteed Hong Kong until 2047 under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The Prime Ministers also expressed grave concerns about the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and called upon China to respect the human rights of the Uyghur people and other Muslim minorities and to grant the United Nations and other independent observers meaningful and unfettered access to the region.
The Prime Ministers also expressed grave concerns about the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, and its implications for regional stability. They condemned the violence being perpetrated against the people of Myanmar and called on the military regime to exercise restraint, refrain from further violence, release all those arbitrarily detained, and engage in dialogue. The Prime Ministers underscored their strong support for ASEAN-led efforts to chart a course out of the current crisis and urged implementation of the five points of consensus on the situation in Myanmar, agreed at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 24 April, as soon as possible.
The Prime Ministers agreed North Korea’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions posed a serious threat to international peace and stability. They reiterated their commitment to working together and with partners to strictly enforce sanctions against North Korea until it took concrete steps towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. They urged North Korea to prioritise improving the lives of its citizens over its weapons programs and to return to the path of dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the ceasefire in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank and called on all parties to ensure it holds. They also expressed deep concern at the recent violence including the significant civilian death toll, particularly children. The Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of a return to direct and genuine negotiations as soon as possible, with a view to defining a durable and permanent peace agreement that results in a two state solution. The Prime Ministers said it is imperative that the cycle of violence and bloodshed ceases and does not resume.
The Prime Ministers reiterated their unwavering commitment to achieving a world without weapons of mass destruction (WMD), recognising the challenges posed to international peace and security by the slow pace of nuclear disarmament and by the proliferation of WMD. They also expressed concern at Iran’s uranium enrichment activities but welcomed the progress of talks on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which they hoped would lead to a resumption of its full implementation by all parties.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty entering into force, and emphasised the Antarctic Treaty System provides an effective and enduring international governance framework for Antarctica. The Prime Ministers welcomed the continued cooperation between New Zealand and Australia in support of peace, science, and environmental protection in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean,
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the enduring strength and breadth of the defence partnership. They reaffirmed the enduring importance of working together as allies and partners to support the international rules-based order and a sovereign, secure, and resilient Pacific. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the 2018 Joint Statement on Closer Defence Relations, and acknowledged the mutual support provided during times of crisis. They reiterated their shared commitment to advance interoperability, including through continued collaboration on Defence capability and force design, for combined operations across the full spectrum of our shared security challenges.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged the conclusion of Australia and New Zealand’s twenty-year deployments to Afghanistan in 2021. Both nations can be proud of our contribution to the fight against terrorism and support for the development of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Australia and New Zealand remain steadfast in supporting Afghanistan as the country enters a new phase.
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Christchurch Call to Action and its goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremism content online. The Prime Ministers acknowledged the recent Christchurch Call Second Anniversary Leaders’ Virtual Summit, and reiterated their resolve to ensure a free, open and secure internet, while upholding human rights and protecting fundamental freedoms online.
Supporting Retirees with Extension of the Temporary Reduction in Superannuation Minimum Drawdown Rates
29 May 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Minister for Women's Economic Security
Today the Morrison Government announces an extension of the temporary reduction in superannuation minimum drawdown rates for a further year to 30 June 2022.
As part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government responded immediately and reduced the superannuation minimum drawdown rates by 50 per cent for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 income years, ending on 30 June 2021.
Today’s announcement extends that reduction to the 2021-22 income year and continues to make life easier for our retirees by giving them more flexibility and choice in their retirement.
For many retirees, the significant losses in financial markets as a result of the COVID-19 crisis are still having a negative effect on the account balance of their superannuation pension.
This extension builds on the additional flexibility announced in the 2021-22 Budget.
The Morrison Government will continue to support retirees as part of our plan to secure Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
Statement on the Australian Embassy in Afghanistan
25 May 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women
In light of the imminent international military withdrawal from Afghanistan, Australia will as an interim measure revert to the model of visiting accreditation for our diplomatic representation to Afghanistan, which we used from the opening of diplomatic relations in 1969 until 2006. Our residential representation in Afghanistan and the Australian Embassy in Kabul will be closed at this time.
We will close our Embassy building on 28 May 2021. DFAT officials will visit Afghanistan regularly from a residential Post elsewhere in the region.
It is Australia’s expectation that this measure will be temporary and that we will resume a permanent presence in Kabul once circumstances permit.
This form of diplomatic representation is common practice around the world. It does not alter our commitment to Afghanistan or its people.
The departure of the international forces and hence Australian forces from Afghanistan over the next few months brings with it an increasingly uncertain security environment where the Government has been advised that security arrangements could not be provided to support our ongoing diplomatic presence.
On the Foreign Minister’s recent visit to Kabul, we reaffirmed Australia’s support for the Afghanistan Government during this time of change for the country. Australia remains committed to the bilateral relationship with Afghanistan, and we will continue to support the stability and development of Afghanistan in concert with other nations.
Australia is proud to have worked over the past 20 years to assist Afghanistan in protecting itself from exploitation as a base for terrorist groups, to address inequality, and to contribute to improvements in the rights and livelihoods of women and girls. Since 2001, Australia has provided $1.51 billion in development and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Australia remains committed to supporting an Afghan-led peaceful resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan, and to helping preserve the gains of the past 20 years.
During the time Australia has been working in Afghanistan, we have seen significant improvements in school enrolments, access to basic health care and women’s representations in politics, which has risen from zero in 2001 to 27 per cent in 2020. Maternal mortality has fallen, as has child malnutrition.
We know there is more to do, and our development and humanitarian commitments will be delivered in the coming years, including a bilateral development assistance commitment of $200 million over 2021-2024. We will continue our 52-year bilateral diplomatic relationship with Afghanistan, building on our close friendship with the Afghan people which stretches back to the historic arrival of Afghans in South Australia in the 1830s.
We remain committed to supporting a just, durable and resilient peace arrangement that is led and owned by Afghanistan, and will bring stability and prosperity to the Afghan people.
Foster Report
25 May 2021
On 16 February 2021, I commissioned Ms Stephanie Foster PSM, Deputy Secretary, Governance in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to undertake a report into the procedures and processes relating to serious incidents in the parliamentary workplace.
I asked Ms Foster to consider:
The procedures and processes involved in identifying and reporting a serious incident, particularly assault or sexual assault;
Steps that can be taken to ensure the processes of reporting and responses to serious incidents are able to be made independent from the employer;
Recommendations on how to ensure that all reporting and responses to serious incidents are driven by a principle of providing empowerment to the victims; and
Recommendations on how to ensure that the services and support that are provided to a victim are timely, effective, and ongoing.
Initially, Ms Foster provided advice to me on measures that required urgent implementation to address some of these issues. This included the establishment of a 24/7, independent, confidential and trauma-informed phone support line for all staff and parliamentarians (1800 APH SPT).
Last night, Ms Foster provided her final report which has made a number of significant findings that address gaps in existing procedures and processes when it comes to responding to serious incidents, providing support for those impacted by them, and of a preventative nature.
Her proposals and recommendations seek to ensure that processes are independent, provide empowerment to victims, and provide timely, effective and ongoing support.
Beyond measures already put in place, her recommendations include:
Implementation of a face-to-face education program helping managers and staff understand their obligations in relation to a safe and respectful workplace, and to recognise and respond appropriately to serious incidents or patterns of behaviour in the workplace. Work on this program is well underway.
Development of an independent, confidential, complaints mechanism for serious incidents. This body of work is more detailed and complex and will require consultation across the Parliament.
I intend to take this report to Cabinet and respond to the recommendations on behalf of the Government. Following this, I will seek to engage with all parties and parliamentarians to implement the response.
Ms Foster’s deliberations and her report have been designed deliberately to come forward with concrete steps. Throughout this process she has worked closely with the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Ms Kate Jenkins. I hope that this report will assist the Commissioner as part of her review into longer term cultural and systemic issues.
I thank Ms Foster for her report and I look forward to working with others to ensure lasting reform is achieved on these important issues.