Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly held from 5 to 11 August 2023. I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the report.

Leave granted.

I am pleased to present the report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, or AIPA. The 44th assembly was hosted by the Republic of Indonesia and was held between 5 and 11 August last year in Jakarta. It was a pleasure to be joined by the member for Lyne to form a two-member delegation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Australia's relationship with ASEAN. It was back in 1974 that Australia became one of ASEAN's first dialogue partners. We were one of 10. The cooperation continues to this day. Australia recognises that continued dialogue and cooperation are important in order to foster stability and economic security in the region. It also recognises that ASEAN is at the centre of that dialogue. Its role is critical to providing a stable, peaceful and prosperous region, which is why it was a pleasure and honour to lead the delegation.

The theme of the 44th assembly was 'Responsible parliaments for a stable and prosperous ASEAN'. It was opened by Her Excellency Dr Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia and the President of the 44th AIPA. Her Excellency highlighted the ongoing need for commitments to create peace and prosperity in South-East Asia. Her Excellency also highlighted the role of AIPA as a vehicle for its member states to find a middle ground in achieving these commitments.

I was pleased to make a statement on behalf of the delegation. It was a statement that reinforced the important relationships that Australia has in the region and the importance of South-East Asia as an economic, trade, defence and cultural partner to Australia. The statement acknowledged the important role of Indonesia in its ASEAN chair year. It also reinforced Australia's report for the road map of Timor-Leste's full membership in ASEAN. I recognised the significance to Australia of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in combating climate change, building health security and advancing the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The themes of addressing climate change and the transition to clean energy were consistently raised through AIPA and I appreciate the opportunity to observe this discussion. The need for addressing supply chain insecurity due to the war in Ukraine and continuing post-pandemic recovery efforts were also a focus. Australia is an observer country to AIPA and, as such, was invited to participate in a dialogue with other member countries chaired by Mr Ravindra Airlangga MP, from the House of Representatives for the Republic of Indonesia. During the week, four bilateral meetings were held with delegations from Ukraine, Lao PDR, Indonesia and the United States of America. In making recommendations for the next assembly, Australia recommended that future delegations seek further engagement in other aspects of the program as observers or contributors, if agreed.

The delegation wishes to thank the Indonesian House of Representatives for hosting the event. The delegation would also like to congratulate the Republic of Indonesia on their successful year as ASEAN chair and a successful and productive 44th AIPA. Thank you to the team who made the delegation a success—Jeff Norris, Tom Coghlan, the Australian Mission to ASEAN and the Australian Embassy Indonesia.

See this speech in context