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

I thank Senator Paterson for his question. It is timely, indeed, that His Excellency is in the gallery today for this question. On Saturday I was pleased to join the Prime Minister for the first Quad leaders meeting, which followed the third Quad foreign ministers meeting in February. The Quad brings together four like-minded democracies—Australia, India, Japan and the United States—united by a shared vision for a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders summit was an historic moment that reinforces our support for a sovereign, resilient and stable Indo-Pacific. President Biden and prime ministers Morrison, Modi and Suga have set an ambitious, practical and positive agenda for key regional priorities. As the Prime Minister said at the beginning of the summit, history teaches us that when nations engage together in a partnership of strategic trust, of common hope and shared values, much can be achieved. This supports Australia's strategic interests, reflecting our belief in a region governed by rules not by power.

Through the Quad, Australia works with our close partners to support a region based on sovereignty and respect for international law. The Quad complements Australia's engagement in ASEAN-led, ASEAN-centred architecture and other bilateral, regional and multilateral groupings. All four Quad countries are strongly committed to ASEAN centrality, as well as the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and to working with regional partners to ensure a prosperous and secure region. Australia looks to our friends in achieving these goals but we don't leave it to our friends. As our response to COVID-19 demonstrates, Australia will do our share of the lifting. (Time expired)