Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to Malaysia from 19 to 22 November 2023, and I ask leave of the House to make a short statement in connection with the report.

Leave granted.

I'm pleased to present the report of the parliamentary delegation to Malaysia. The delegation comprised of me, as leader, the member for Moncrieff, the member for Tangney, the member for Indi, the member for Durack and senator for Western Australia Senator Fatima Payman. We visited Malaysia from 19 to 22 November last year. Our visit was the first visit to Malaysia by an Australian parliamentary delegation since 2019 and the first after Malaysia's national elections in November 2022, which resulted in the formation of a new multiparty government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The main objectives of our visit were to reinforce the value and importance of Australia's relationship with Malaysia and the strong multipartisan support for Malaysia within the Australian parliament; hear about the priorities and policies of Malaysia's new government; and explore how the Australian and Malaysian parliaments can continue and enhance our cooperation.

The visit was brief but worthwhile. We were honoured to attend Malaysia's parliament and meet with both the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. We spoke with two parliamentary committees and other MPs and senators, and engaged in a range of discussions with ministers, deputy ministers, officers, officials, academics, business leaders and community representatives. We were struck by the breadth and strength of the ties between the two countries. The relationship between our countries is warm, strong and stable. Healthy and growing two-way trade and investment bring benefits to both countries. There is scope for further growth in various sectors including food and agribusiness, information technology, cybersecurity and renewable energy.

The people-to-people links are most positive and enduring. We met with many Malaysian alumni of Australian universities who now hold senior positions in the Malaysian government and business. We spoke with them at length. They spoke warmly of their time here in Australia and of their enduring friendships. We also met some of the Australian New Colombo Plan scholars who are now studying and working in Malaysia and building the next generation of personal connections.

Under the Anwar government, Malaysia's undertaking a program of reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, including its parliament. Parliamentary reforms under consideration include reinstatement of an independent parliamentary service and a permanent committee system. We've already provided support for Malaysia with this institution strengthening program. The delegation discussed progress and challenges concerning these matters with a range of interested parties. While recognising the importance of locally owned solutions, the delegation strongly encourages the Australian government and parliament to remain open to providing further assistance and advice as and when requested to support the success of these worthwhile initiatives.

I'd like to extend our thanks to the many Malaysians we met and spoke with during our visit. I'd also like to thank the then acting high commissioner Simon Fellows, second secretary Gabi Brand and other staff of the Australian High Commission in Malaysia for their support and assistance. Of course, I'd also like to thank Shennia Spillane, the delegation secretary who accompanied us, for her outstanding professionalism, valuable cooperation and sage advice. Many thanks, Shen.

I commend the report to the House.