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

I thank Senator Reynolds. There's one very timely example of our ability to work closely with our partners, which is built on a foundation of shared interests and values and of people-to-people links that have been established over decades. Next week, Australia and Malaysia will mark the 60th anniversary of Australia's presence at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth. Generations of ADF members have lived and worked at Butterworth, including my own partner's parents, with their two young sons for a period. Many have built important bonds with their Malaysian counterparts. Around 100 former ADF personnel are expected to attend next week's celebration, which is a mark of the very special place that Butterworth holds in the hearts and minds of many Australians. The longevity of that engagement and our presence there at Butterworth testifies to Malaysia's and Australia's shared interests and also to both nations' commitment to regional stability. These are very important relationships on which we continue to build.