Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the remarks of the Prime Minister. This is one of those rare and historic occasions on which the leader of another country addresses a joint sitting of parliament. Mr President, you follow the leaders of the world’s most powerful country, of the world’s most populous country and of Australia’s oldest ally in addressing this parliament. It is fitting that you do so, as the leader of the world’s fourth largest country, third largest democracy, largest Muslim society and as a fellow member, with Australia, of the G20.

Our two countries know what can be achieved when we work together. We worked together to rebuild mutual trust after 1999. We worked together to fight terrorism, particularly after Bali in 2002. We worked together to rebuild Aceh after the tsunami in 2004 and the subsequent earthquake and we have worked together to end people smuggling since 2001.

We have worked to end people smuggling before. It worked when we worked together before. People smuggling has started again and we can stop it again, provided it is done cooperatively and with a clear understanding of our mutual interests and with the right policies in place here in Australia.

Let me say that multilateral diplomacy is very important, but it is no substitute for deep bilateral engagement, because it is hard to make friends with everyone unless you are strengthening your individual friendships. I want to commend the Prime Minister for focusing this week on the vital friendship between Indonesia and Australia rather than on nebulous new communities.

Mr President, Indonesia is one of the world’s rising powers. We have been with you when you needed us and we are confident that you will be with us when we need you.

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