Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Thank you everyone for coming. I just wanted to make a few comments today. Firstly, to say how delighted I am to be back here in Manila, and I want to start by congratulating the Philippines on its leadership as ASEAN Chair this year and particularly for hosting these important meetings. This year, Australia and the Philippines celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations, and that, of course, builds on a much longer history of culture, trade and friendship and family. I was very pleased to be received by President Marcos yesterday and to reaffirm the friendship and partnership between our countries. At a time of global uncertainty, Australia recognises it is more important than ever to work closely with ASEAN. My meetings this week have focused on shared challenges, energy security, supply chain resilience and long-term prosperity. But also pressing issues, including the conflict in the Middle East and developments in the South China Sea. One of the things that Australia is very proud of, is that we are ASEAN's first dialogue partner, and we are a comprehensive strategic partner. And this year, of course, is the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and its principles of dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remain even more relevant today. I have come just now from a Quad Foreign Ministers meeting. Quad countries are all comprehensive strategic partners of ASEAN. We respect ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led architecture and believe that ASEAN has a critical role, holding the centre of a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous. Today we discussed how Quad countries can further contribute to priorities under the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific. I just want to close now with a message to Australians in relation to travel advice. Obviously, the situation in the Middle East is volatile. The situation could deteriorate further without much warning. I urge all Australians in the Middle East or looking to travel through the region to please keep up to date with travel advice. Much of the region is already at 'reconsider your need to travel' or 'do not travel'. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade keeps travel advice under constant review, and this advice may change at very short notice, particularly if the security situation in the Middle East deteriorates further, which could happen without much warning. Happy to take questions.
Journalist: Does Australia see the missile test launched and the South China Sea clashes as part of a broader pattern of increased Chinese military activity in the Indo-Pacific? Why or why not? And are there concerns that this could increase the risk of miscalculation in the region?
Foreign Minister: I think the answer to the last part is very much yes. And we have made clear publicly and directly to China that we regard the missile test as destabilising. And we have put that publicly and we have put that directly to Foreign Minister Wang Yi in my discussions yesterday. More broadly, on the South China Sea, I also have made public comments about the incident involving the members of the Philippines Navy and the Chinese personnel. We have said we have real concerns about behaviour that is destabilising and risky. What I would say, we want a region which is peaceful, stable and prosperous. We want a region where countries, all powers, including great powers, observe international law and in particular the law of the sea. These are principles which go to the character of the region we live in and the stability and peace of the region in which we live.
Journalist: With increasing tensions in the South China Sea, in your view, how crucial is it for ASEAN and China to conclude a code of conduct within the year? And how does Australia intend to leverage its influence within ASEAN to push for a binding and effective code of conduct? And what does Australia want to see that code?
Foreign Minister: Well, actually, we already have a legal document which sets out people, nations' rights, and that is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. And all parties should observe it. And all countries should observe it both in letter of the law, but also in the spirit of the law.
Journalist: Minister, I think the advantage of the Manila meeting is that you do not only release press statements, but you're actually physically with the representation of the US with Secretary Rubio, like last night when you had dinner with him. So, my question is, if you're to impart to Rubio your concerns, the level of the urgency of your concern about what's happening now, the resurgent war in the Middle East, how have you or do you plan to raise it? And what specific next step do you want the US to take as a treaty ally? And I have two more questions after that.
Foreign Minister: You have two more questions after that? Well, look, in relation to the Middle East, the position Australia has taken publicly for some time is the same position I think that many countries of the region have, which is, this war, we want to see an end to this war, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see negotiations and we want the strait to be opened. And like the countries of the region, whether it's the Philippines or Indonesia or Malaysia or so many others, people are being affected by what is happening and has happened to global energy markets and the effect on people has been direct and personal and it is impacting on all of our peoples. So, we have made our position on that clear.
Journalist: And yes, just secondly, very fast. There have been some steps and plans of the ASEAN and the South China Sea and the issue of Myanmar. But people are still being killed every week in Myanmar, and there was another incident the other day in the South China Sea. China cannot be stopped by anything at this point. What do you think should be done by ASEAN to, or the international community to really put these problems into place?
Foreign Minister: ASEAN has, by virtue of its history, its place in the region, it has the power to set expectations, to engage in diplomacy, to express its view about activities. And what I would say is that we know that peace and stability can only be achieved if we work for it. We are concerned about some of the aggression we are seeing, we are concerned about some of the destabilising conduct we are seeing, and the countries of the region have a choice to make about how we all respond to that, and Australia believes we should respond to that by working for peace and stability, by continuing to call for and encouraging compliance with or observation of international law and of safe and professional conduct at sea and in the air.
Journalist: Minister.
Foreign Minister: Hello.
Journalist: Hi, I'm Phil Amos from Bloomberg. I just had a question, you know, we've heard a lot about the South China Sea, but one issue I was wondering if it's been coming up at all is about the global scam industry. A lot of that is orchestrated right here in Southeast Asia. I wonder to what extent, A, is that being talked about, B, how big an issue is it for Australia, and C, are you satisfied with the level of diplomatic conversation and international cooperation regarding this issue?
Foreign Minister: First, this is a big issue in Australia. It's a big issue for Australian consumers, and we have domestic policy framework, domestic legislation, which is aimed at protecting Australian consumers. But you are correct, this is an illicit industry which has grown quite exponentially. And it is an issue that I think Secretary Rubio has flagged also in terms of the growth of scam centres in the region. We work bilaterally with partners to try and assist in countering scams, whether that's in terms of the trafficking of people to work in scam centres, which we know occurs, or law enforcement more generally, in relation to scams. So, we'll continue to do that. You're right, probably that has been less of a focus of the multilateral discussions, but I can say to you, this has been a consistent aspect of bilateral engagement with ASEAN countries over the last couple of years.
Journalist: Minister, just a follow up on COC. Australia is one of the leading voices in pushing for a code of conduct that does not prejudice the rights of third-party states. Is that something that you're going to bring up?
Foreign Minister: Well, that's Australia's position. We think that parties should abide by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and we have consistently said we would not want to see any code of conduct that diminished any rights under that convention, whether for claimant states or third parties.
Journalist: Minister, sorry, I'm just a follow-up on the code of conduct. Did you get any commitment from ASEAN and other countries from ASEAN that they remain committed to finish the code of conduct negotiations this year?
Foreign Minister: Well, I will leave it to ASEAN to talk about those negotiations. All I can express to you is Australia's position, which is as I've outlined to your colleague.
Journalist: Because China is saying that they will not agree to a code that will include, let's say, the 2016 Arbitral Award, which the Philippines–
Foreign Minister: Well, and Australia has consistently stated our support for this 2016 Arbitral Award.
Journalist: Does that mean, ma'am, therefore, that the award should be integrated into the COC?
Foreign Minister: Well, I'm not a negotiating party, but the COC should not derogate from any rights under international law.
Journalist: Can I ask a follow-up?
Foreign Minister: Another follow-up? I'm going to have to wind up shortly, so I'm going to give you one more question.
Journalist: How feasible it is for Australia, US and Japan to hold regular joint patrols in the South China Sea or East China Sea, and I'm not talking just about the regular, the MCAs that's been conducted from time to time. Is there possibly going to conduct.
Foreign Minister: Well, we certainly, I can speak for Australia and the Philippines. We are increasing our maritime cooperation, and you might be aware that one of my first events here was an announcement of additional funding with your Coast Guard where we are contributing more on drones and other mechanisms to try and improve maritime domain awareness. The maritime zone is critical to stability in the region. And so, when we have a conversation about the South China Sea, that is something I'm sure we should all keep in mind. Thanks very much.