Where We Live – Scott Morrison’s Asialink Address On Foreign Policy

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a major speech on foreign policy, emphasising the important of the rule-based trading system and free trade.

Morrison

Morrison emphasised Australia’s willingness to engage in the Indo-Pacific region. He stressed the importance of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), whilst maintaining the relevance of the Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) alliance.

Morrison warned of “gathering clouds in the global economy”. He said a worsening trading relationship between China and the United States “is not inevitable”.

“We embrace free trade, global engagement and an international system where we agree rules, stick to them and honour our commitments,” Morrison said.

Watch Morrison’s speech (34m):

Listen to Morrison (34m):

Transcript of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s “Where We Live” Address to Asialink-Bloomberg.

PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON: Thank you to Asialink and Bloomberg for the opportunity to address you here today prior to my attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Osaka this weekend.

Today I want to talk about our plan to foster an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, consistent with our national interests.

I would like to set out the principles, consistent with our national values, that will guide my Government’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. [Read more…]


Turnbull Meets With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have held a press briefing, following their talks in Sydney.

Abe

The two leaders spoke of their commitment to free trade and open markets. Turnbull said that both countries are committed to the Trans Pacific Partnership because “protectionism is not a ladder to get us out of the low growth trap, rather a shovel to dig us deeper into it”.

Abe said: “To ensure free and open international order based on the rule of law, our bilateral cooperation and trilateral cooperation with the United States is of course important.”

  • Listen to the Turnbull-Abe press briefing (21m)
  • Watch the press briefing (21m)

Transcript of remarks by PM Turnbull and PM Abe, in Sydney.

TURNBULL: Welcome, Prime Minister, it is wonderful to be hosting you and your party here in Sydney.

We’ve already had a very good constructive discussion this morning as we walked around beautiful South Head. [Read more…]


Keating Warns Against Tillerson’s South China Sea Adventurism

Former prime minister Paul Keating has criticised remarks by the US Secretary of State-designate, Rex Tillerson, regarding what he terms “adventurism” over the South China Sea.

Keating issued a statement following remarks by Tillerson at his confirmation hearings in Washington DC. Tillerson said that a “signal” should be sent to China over its access to islands in the South China Sea. He said that American allies should be there to “show back-up”.

Keating says Australia should have no part of such adventurism, as it should have had no part in the Iraq war 15 years ago.

Statement by Paul Keating.

Keating


Chris Bowen: The Case For Openness

The Shadow Treasurer, Chris Bowen, has delivered a speech in defence of openness in trade and immigration, and against nativist populism.

BowenAddressing the Crescent Institute, Bowen said: “In the United States, Europe and recently in Australia, simple solutions are being proposed to solve complex problems.”

Bowen said he wanted to make “the case for trade and immigration… for an outward looking, modern nation, at peace with itself and comfortable with the world around us.”

He said “the believers in a connected world” also need “to meet the concerns of those who are hurting” and who are tempted by “the chimera of a solution proposed by those who are speedily trying to raise the national drawbridge”. [Read more…]