Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Following my visit to North Korea, I am travelling to the Philippines to meet with my counterpart, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. The siege of Marawi city by Daesh-aligned forces poses a threat to Australia's interests and to regional security. As Daesh comes under increasing pressure in Iraq and Syria, Australia will continue to work with our partners and allies across the region to prevent foreign fighters from spreading their toxic extremism in the Indo-Pacific.

The Australian Defence Force's AP-3C Orion aircraft continues to provide surveillance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines as part of Australia's whole-of-government efforts to counterterrorism in the region. This contribution builds on our extensive program of regional counterterrorism capacity building and engagement—an issue on which I also engaged in my visits in the previous fortnight. We continue to review our commitment to the Philippines. We have offered further support, and this will form the basis of my discussions. (Time expired)