Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate of the Australian government's objectives for the seventh East Asia Summit in Cambodia?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister and trade minister Emerson are attending the East Asia Summit meeting in Cambodia this week. It is critical for Australia to have a seat at this table. The EAS is the only forum that brings together the leaders of South-East Asia with major powers. The summit's mandate covers economic, political and security issues in the region, and the 18 EAS countries represent 55 per cent of the world's population and around 53 per cent of global GDP.

Nine of Australia's 10 largest trading partners are in the EAS. They represent almost 70 per cent of our total trade.

Australia is a founding member of the EAS, which was established in 2005, and we led the expansion of the organisation to include the United States and Russia. That was a great Australian foreign policy goal achieved. The first meeting of the expanded EAS was in Bali last year and the US President and the Chinese Premier were at the same table with regional leaders. That underlines the importance and indeed the unique quality of this forum. That meeting had a new focus on political and security issues, as well as on other areas of economic cooperation. We expect this year's summit to consolidate the political and security agenda and to take some important steps forward on economic cooperation. There has been discussion between us and members of the forum, especially those in ASEAN, about the importance of a common ASEAN position on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. We have encouraged ASEAN members to move towards that common position, reflecting in particular an approach to the management of territorial disputes—that is, the code of conduct that governs the behaviour of— (Time expired)

Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister outline the nature of the discussions at the EAS, including on trade?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the summit Australia will discuss regional security, including nonproliferation, a very important goal of this government—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's good to see you facing the President.

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

speak up, I can't hear you—maritime security and transnational crime. We will launch negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the regional trade pact that involves ASEAN countries and their six existing FTA partners—that is, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. The Prime Minister will seek a commitment from EAS leaders to tackle drug-resistant malaria. Last month Asia-Pacific countries agreed to cut malaria-related deaths by 75 per cent and to fight, in particular, drug-resistant malaria. Today Australia will also announce that we will fund the $50 million Australia Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons. This will strengthen criminal justice systems in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. (Time expired)

Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. How does participation in the East Asia summit advance the objectives of the Asian century white paper?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia has strong bilateral relationships with countries in our region, including the 10 member states of ASEAN. The Asian century white paper affirms our commitment to increased engagement in the region. It is a roadmap; it is a strategic guide. The Asian century white paper affirms the centrality of ASEAN. It is very important for those nations and important for regional fora like the EAS.

The EAS promotes security cooperation, rules-based norms and regional economic integration. The white paper also outlines opportunities for Australian businesses to expand and integrate into regional markets. We support complementary initiatives, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Both will help lower trade and investment barriers and will boost living standards across the region.

Australia should be involved in shaping these initiatives, which will provide benefits for Australia's economy.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.