Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Marielle Smith, who understands the importance of international law to shaping a peaceful, stable and prosperous region for our people and for our nation. The observation of rules and norms in the region is what supports peace, security and stability, and Australia's support for international law is why we strongly support the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, which is final and binding on the parties. Our continued support for international law and the arbitral award is also why the Deputy Prime Minister announced last week that Australia would conduct the inaugural Philippines-Australia maritime cooperative activity. This activity was the first joint sail between the Australian and Philippines armed forces in the West Philippines sea. The maritime cooperative activity included the Philippine navy vessels BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Davao del Sur, the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba, five Philippine Air Force surveillance aircraft and an RAAF P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft.

Our joint activity demonstrates our shared commitment to exercising freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law in support of a peaceful, stable and secure Indo-Pacific. We will continue to operate closely with our friends in the region, such as the Philippines, to advocate for the importance of international law. We're putting in the work engaging with our partners, repairing our international relationships and acting accordingly. Unlike Mr Dutton, we are not just talking tough and leaving a vacuum for others to fill, as we saw in the Pacific in the period of the Morrison government. I have often spoken in the visits I have made to South East Asia and beyond of the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is a vital national interest for Australia. (Time expired)