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

That is a very important question. Countering transnational crime is one of Thailand's key priorities, and they are the current ASEAN chair. As part of the visit this week I want to demonstrate our strong support for that issue, so, as well as co-sponsoring a proposed East Asia Summit leaders statement, there will also be some important announcements I will be able to make on Australia's behalf.

I'm going to co-host a joint ministerial launch of the new ASEAN-Australia counter trafficking investment with Thai and Malaysian counterparts and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. That will enable us to highlight Australia's status as a very valued and longstanding partner for ASEAN and our shared commitment to countering human trafficking as well as other transnational crimes. I look forward to announcing a new investment, which targets transnational crime in the Mekong subregion, because our priority is to work with our regional partners—those I've named and others—to enhance border security and to counter transnational crime through that strengthened cooperation.