James Glenday, Host: Let's get more on what is shaping up to be a very busy day in federal politics. And Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong joins us now from Sydney. Minister, welcome back to the program.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good to be with you, James. Morning.
Glenday: In very simple terms, what does this treaty with Indonesia mean for us?
Foreign Minister: It's about stronger relations with our largest neighbour. It's about security in our region. It's a recognition that our security is shared. And we are making a commitment to each other, to work together, to consult and to cooperate when it comes to our mutual security.
Glenday: I won't put words in your mouth. Reporting around this morning suggests it's going to keep us and Indonesia safe from threats. But what sort of threats and from whom?
Foreign Minister: Well James, I don't think the Australian people need to be told again that we live in times which are challenging. We know that the world is seeing more contest and more competition. We know that great powers are changing how they operate in our region and in the world. So, what do we do with that? Well, what the Albanese Government is focused on doing is strengthening our position in our region because fundamentally, our security is anchored in our region. Included in that is our largest neighbour, Indonesia. And this was a historic day, a historic agreement. And we are very pleased that President Prabowo made the effort to come to Australia to finalise the conclusion of this treaty.
Glenday: Earlier this year, there was a report that Russia wanted to base warplanes in Papua. If the Kremlin made that sort of request, would this treaty then require Indonesia to consult with the Australian government?
Foreign Minister: It's true that Indonesia has had a long-standing relationship with Russia and Russia has had relations with countries in our region. What we have to focus on is what relationship we have and what we've seen is a Defence Cooperation Agreement and now this treaty with Indonesia. That does put an obligation on both countries to ensure that we consult about things that matter to us both.
Glenday: How similar is it to the agreement that was ultimately scrapped a couple of decades ago after what happened in East Timor?
Foreign Minister: It's a very similar agreement, but obviously in different times. And the agreement to which you refer, which occurred under Prime Minister Keating has been regarded as the high watermark of our relations with Indonesia. So we're very pleased that we have now, between Prime Minister Albanese and President Prabowo, this treaty has been finalised. It obviously has to go through parliamentary processes, but it does demonstrate a new closeness, a new partnership, and that is in Australia's interests and in the region's interests.
Glenday: Just on a different topic, Minister, it's nearly crunch time for your bid to have the COP climate summit in Adelaide next year but the problem of course is that Turkey also wants this. Have there been any breakthroughs in this space in Brazil, of course the conference taking place there at the moment? And is Australia considering sharing this summit somehow between Adelaide and maybe Ankara?
Foreign Minister: It's no secret these negotiations have been difficult and they have been difficult because Türkiye has been very focused on maintaining its bid. What we are saying is that the Pacific is at the front line of climate change. We are saying that Pacific voices and the Pacific experience should be elevated, and the Pacific's agenda should be more prominent in the global agenda. That has been really the impetus behind Australia's bid to host this. And we'll continue to work with others and to engage with Türkiye to try and get the outcome that we want for Pacific island nations.
Glenday: Has anything shifted at all during the discussions that are taking place in Brazil?
Foreign Minister: Türkiye maintains its position that it wants to host the COP. Australia maintains our position that we want a Pacific COP in the way that Chris Bowen and the Prime Minister and I have spoken about it.
Glenday: Ok, you are a former Climate Change Minister, I'm sure you remember what happened in 2009 very very well. The Nationals and then conservative Liberals undermined the Opposition Leader over climate action. Of course, this has happened a number of times since then. What would be the consequence for the country do you think if the alternative government of Australia abandons a commitment to net zero by 2050?
Foreign Minister: What we see in the Coalition is the same conflict, the same climate chaos, the same leadership wars which has defined them on this issue for, what is it, 15 more years. And what is the consequence? Well, we've seen it. The consequence is high energy prices. Because what happens when there is policy uncertainty and conflict, is the private sector stop investing. We saw 24 out of 28 coal fired power stations indicate they will close under the Coalition. That's what happens to investment and that means higher prices. What we need is policy certainty. That's what the Albanese Government is giving. The Coalition still haven't learnt. The climate wars and leadership contests have become fused in their minds for almost 15 years and it all continues.
Glenday: Just before I let you go, just in your policy area, the Russians lost their High Court bid yesterday over their embassy site in Canberra. We hear a lot about the potential threats that Russia poses to the rules-based order, even to our own democracy. What do we get out of having a formal Russian diplomatic presence in Australia?
Foreign Minister: First, we're pleased that the High Court upheld the government's right to make the decision that we did, and we stand by that decision. Second, we have diplomatic relationships with many countries. You don't just have diplomatic relations with countries with whom you agree. You have them also with countries with whom you have very strong differences of views. And that's because you want to have an avenue by which you engage and express your views.
Glenday: Penny Wong, always appreciate your time on our show.
Foreign Minister: Great to speak with you, James.