Press Conference, Blue Room Parliament House

Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister: Welcome everyone, and can I particularly welcome Winston Peters, the Foreign Minister of New Zealand, and Judith Collins, the Minister of Defence from New Zealand to this year's ANZMIN. And it is the third Australia‑New Zealand ministerial meeting that has been conducted with this group of four ministers and we are very grateful to both of you for the conversation that we've been able to have, and the stability that we've been able to bring to bear over the course of our last three years meeting together as a group of four. And on behalf of Penny and I, we couldn't be happier to have you in Australia today and here in Parliament House. Today's ANZMIN meeting obviously happens against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East, but also a very volatile world. And it's not lost on any of us that in the context of that world, it is profoundly important that in the community of nations, family, as we are, stick closely together. We are allies and we have been so since 1951. But our relationship is much deeper than that. In fact, this year is the 111th anniversary of when Australian and New Zealand troops under the banner of the Australian New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli. Today, Minister Collins and I have signed a statement of intent: Operationalising the Australia‑New Zealand Alliance and this is very much with a vision of Anzac 2035. Both Minister Collins and myself have been very focused on building our defence forces together over the course of the next decade to have them operating as closely and as integrated as possible. In respect of force posture, today we now have institutionally the deputy commander of Australia's Joint Operations Command being a New Zealander and similarly the deputy commander of New Zealand's Joint Operations Command is an Australian. And so at the very highest level of our operational commands, at the very highest levels of our force posture, we are now working together. Today as part of our statement of intent, we have agreed to establish a force posture working group which will look at every possible opportunity where our two defence forces can posture and work together. We already have an extensive working together in our calendar of operations and exercises – exercises such as Talisman Sabre and Bersama Lima – but we are looking at where we can do this more and we will be cooperating and working together more in exercises this year. In respect of preparedness, we're particularly focused in the world today on the question of readiness and we are looking at how we can cooperate more in respect of both of our defence forces operating under a similar concept of readiness. We're looking at how we can cooperate more in respect of resilience, particularly in respect of our strategic military stockpiles. In relation to defence industry, we are pursuing opportunities for co-production, co‑sustainment and co‑procurement. And last year when Minister Collins was in Australia, Minister Collins announced that New Zealand will be purchasing the MH‑60 Romeo helicopters, which Australia also operates, for our navies. And this is an example of how we will be able to operate platforms in common, which gives much greater opportunity in terms of procurement, but also in terms of sustainment. And finally, we are working much more closely together in the Pacific. It is utterly central to how we see our combined national security that we work together in the Pacific. We do this through the South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting, but increasingly we are doing it together as we look at the ways in which we can operate in a complementary way across our shared ocean. This is important not just because of the world today, but because both of our defence forces are growing. In both Australia and New Zealand we are seeing an increased defence expenditure. And what our plan is, is that as we grow, we grow together. Because in having a greater joint force, we are able to leverage the opportunity in terms of much greater capability and much greater effect. Finally, can I just say, this will be Judith's last meeting of ANZMIN as Judith has announced her retirement from politics in the coming months. I just want to say what a pleasure it has been for me to work with Judith as my counterpart over the last few years. I feel like we've done really, really good work together. And I know that I speak on behalf of Penny as well in saying how much we wish Judith the best for the future, but how much we will miss her as a part of this group of four and Judith, you go very much with our best wishes.

Winston Peters, NZ Foreign minister: It's always a pleasure to visit Australia and to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Senator Wong. ANZMIN is a critical chance to engage with Australia - our closest, most important and most like-minded partner - on shared approaches to foreign policy, security and defence. This meeting enables integrated discussions across a range of strategic challenges. In the face of a more fragmented, contested and volatile world, our alliance is strong. Our strategic alignment positions Australia and New Zealand well to tackle the challenges ahead. Today we spoke in detail about how we will work together on issues that matter most to our countries and how we will chart a course towards a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world. We discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East. We want this crisis to end as quickly as possible and move to a negotiated solution. New Zealand remains closely coordinated with Australia on the consular response, the trade and economic implications for our region, and geopolitical consequences. Our commitment to continue to work together alongside our Pacific partners to promote stability and advance our peace and security priorities, promote trade and economic development, support humanitarian and disaster relief, and tackle the impacts of climate change. And our shared concerns around the instability facing the Indo-Pacific region and to refresh our interests in Antarctica and commitment to upholding the Antarctic Treaty System's rules and norms. The difference about these meetings of late is that they are deadly serious, and we enter them with our eyes wide open and endeavour to work together to get the best possible outcomes. And finally can I just say, we want to take this chance to acknowledge that Minister Collins is leaving parliament shortly and this is her final ANZMIN. We wish her all the best for her next chapter in life.

Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good afternoon. And can I thank Winston and Judith for joining us here in Canberra today and thank them for the constructive, open, warm discussions that we have had. Our friendship, our relationship is unique: uniquely close, uniquely trusting and uniquely historical. As Winston said, we face growing strategic challenges, whether it's conflict on the continent of Europe, the escalating conflict in the Middle East, strategic competition and much more. And the consultations through ANZMIN have never been more important. This is amplified middle power diplomacy in action. We work together to advance our shared interests and those of our region. We have together been able to assist our citizens to leave the Middle East safely. And I again take the opportunity to urge Australians to leave the Middle East. We know these are difficult decisions for people, but I again say please do not wait to leave until it's too late. We discussed the measures we are each taking in response to the global economy and the impact on fuel supply chains. Richard spoke about the Pacific. There's probably no context in which our partnership matters more across both the portfolios that are represented. We want a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and we recognise the importance and the value that we place on the partnership between our countries towards achieving that. Can I just on a personal level note how much I appreciate being able to work with Winston in this context and we have a very close and strategic coordination of what we do together and separately in the Pacific. Can I acknowledge the Deputy Prime Minister, the Defence Minister's announcement today with Judith of the defence and security partnership. It's a very important milestone in the alliance. If I may say, as a farewell point to you, to Minister Collins, as I said to you privately, you can be very proud of the work that you have done in this portfolio over the years you have held it. This group of four have in both our areas I think brought the operation of our portfolios internationally and in the Pacific much more closely together and you've played a great part in that. So we wish you well and thank you for your friendship to Australia.

Judith Collins, NZ Defence Minister: Well it is actually such a significant day. It's a very important time to be a Minister of Defence, and Defence can have no better partner than our Foreign Affairs colleagues. It's very important that we work together. And New Zealand has no better friend than Australia. It is very important for us that we– Richard and I have talked about this for some time, worked on it, our people have been working on it together– on how we have this closer defence relationship statement and I'm very pleased that we have signed this today. And it's on the theme of Anzac 2035 Operationalising the Alliance. It's 75 years since ANZUS came into being and Australia New Zealand became formal allies but we go back, as Richard has said, way back to Gallipoli, Boer War, all sorts of things. And that alliance and our alliance as peoples is built not only on our shared history, our shared position in the world geographically, but actually our shared values. And never has there been such a time that we need to value those shared values. And when we consider it, I know certainly speaking on behalf of the defence community in New Zealand, we know we have no better friend. And I know this is true for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as well. And that closer defence relationship statement that we've signed today articulates our nations' shared vision for an increasingly integrated and interoperable Anzac force. DPM Marles and I strongly believe in increasingly integrating our forces across all of our territories when they allow us to better combine and leverage our defence resources to counter and respond to shared security challenges – whether they be international, transnational, organised crime, drug trafficking, natural disasters or as we're increasingly seeing, geostrategic and political conflict. The statement says we will enhance our ability to operate in the most integrated ways, and that's because we will. We already do a lot together operationally, training wise, exercises, but also exchanging of personnel as Richard has said. But it also states that we will work with businesses on both sides of the Tasman to foster a resilient defence industry and supply chain in both of our countries. I think we live in the most dangerous times that I have ever known in my lifetime, and it is so important to have good friends who you can rely on. The statement also says our defence forces will work closely with our nations' Pacific island partners to increasingly lift capability and interoperability in the region for as you know, we are both Pacific nations, and our security is inextricably linked to the security of the Pacific region and its peoples. The statement sets out our vision to ensure we're better prepared, we're better exercised, well-equipped to defend our shared interests and values. I also want to take the opportunity to thank you all for your enormous support of what we've been doing together in terms of increasing our defence budget and our spend and what we do. But thank you for your personal support. It's been wonderful this relationship, and it's sort of grown over the years. And I have to say, I am so happy to be part of this third ANZMIN meeting. It's a wonderful way for me to start to move myself out of the political sphere and into the legal research sphere. I don't think it'll be quite as much fun, but I'll do my best. Thank you very much.

Marles: Thank you very much, alright. So, questions, and the first is from SBS.

Journalist: Deputy Prime Minister, I just wanted to ask about the Wedgetail deployment we sent to the Middle East, requested by the UAE. And that craft is deployed in a defensive role, but its capabilities, the ability to monitor what's actually happening in Iran, I imagine would be greatly appreciated by the US. So if the US asked for information that it gathers, would you say no to our military ally? And for Mr Peters as well, a few weeks ago we heard from Canada's leader here in Parliament, who warned middle powers need sovereignty from the likes of the US and China, and they're currently facing economic subordination. Does New Zealand feel the same about its place in the world?

Marles: So, I suppose to answer the first question, the deployment of the E-7 Wedgetail is at the behest of the United Arab Emirates, and it is very much for the defence of the countries of the Gulf, in particular the UAE. As you know, the UAE is home to one of the largest Australian expat communities in the world. It's also home to an operational headquarters that Australia has operated out of at the Al Minhad Air Base for many, many years now. And so for all those reasons, we see it as very much in our national interest to be providing this support and to be meeting the requests of the UAE. It is there in a defensive capacity. To be clear, the information that it is able to obtain is being coordinated through the Combined Air Operations Centre based in Qatar, which obviously involves the United States. And that's really important in terms of coordinating all the integrated defensive measures that can be done for the countries of the Gulf and for the UAE. It would make sense to be operating this capability without providing that information in that way, in terms of maintaining the defence of those countries and the security of the Australians who are living there. But this is fundamentally a defensive mission, and fundamentally a defensive capability.

Journalist: So is there anything to ring-fence that information being accessed by the US or Israel?

Marles: Well, as I said, it is information which flows through the Combined Air Operations Centre based in Qatar, which America is a part of, and that's because you are talking about a coordinated air defence of the countries of the Gulf. And so, you know, that is the way in which this capability is operating. But it is there in a defensive capacity to provide for the defence of the countries of the Gulf.

Peters: Well, I'm very pleased the Aussie media was enthused by Prime Minister Carney's speech that he made here in Australia. It was about the recent developments in history. The problem with Carney's thesis was, it's not recent. These changes began with the invasion of Crimea in 2014, and so while it was a beautifully constructed speech as to the area of crisis that it covered, I disagree with him.

Marles: TVNZ.

Journalist: Minister Wong, you mentioned you and Minister Peters spoke a little bit about oil supply today. Obviously that's a very pressing issue for many Australians and New Zealanders. Can you share any more detail about what was discussed, and potentially how our two countries could be working together in this regard to ensure long-term fuel supply?

Wong: Yes, obviously we discussed the implications for global markets and global supply chains of the current conflict. I think everybody knows that we are all very focused on this, and both governments are very focused on this. I know that there have been discussions previously, but certainly today we discussed, shared our views, and shared what we are aware of in terms of our engagement with other countries. We also talked about some of the measures that we are taking and agreed to continue to work very closely together in relation to this issue. It's an issue for Australia, it's an issue for New Zealand, it's an issue for all countries.

Journalist: Minister Peters, anything further to add?

Peters: Well, first of all, it is not a pressing issue. The reality is that we've got 28 days' supply, in transit we've got a further few weeks — that takes us to 52 days. And right here, right now, we've not got a crisis, excepting that some of our stations, our petrol stations, are running out of petrol because people are going there with their ute and every other container they've got, and what used to be two weeks' supply that the guy thought he had at the service station is now not lasting five days. So let's not panic here. We've got time to fix this matter, and we hope, use the best endeavours, that this crisis is over before those days come. But right here, right now, there isn't a crisis.

Marles: The West Australian

Journalist: One for the Foreign Ministers. Given Australia and New Zealand's reliance on imported jet fuel, are you concerned about China's recent moves to restrict exports and what that could mean on essential domestic needs? Have you engaged with your Chinese counterparts or any other international partners who could help on this issue? And then just picking up one of the comments that you made, Deputy Prime Minister, on the co-production. Minister Collins, would the New Zealand Navy be interested in acquiring any Aussie-made Mogami warships? And have you, Deputy Prime Minister, encouraged your counterpart on this front? Would you like to see New Zealand joining the Mogami production?

Peters: On the matter of aviation supply, we've got a significant aviation supply in reserve in New Zealand now, so it's not a present crisis for us in the way you framed it. And on the second issue, we'll discuss it. You didn't expect us to come along here and tell you about a major defence procurement off the top of my head, did you?

Wong: Do I get to answer that in that way? What do you reckon? What will you write then? [Laughter] Yes, we have been engaging with other countries on this. You would anticipate that we would both in country and here, and we'll continue to do that.

Journalist: Did that include China?

Wong: We've been engaging, including with China, both here and in country. But obviously there are a range of countries whom we import from and we will continue to engage with them.

Collins: In relation to the replacements for the frigates, we are going through the process of actually working out which ones we want. So we're obviously down to two choices. One of them is the Mogami, but one of them is also one from the UK. It is important that we're going through that process right now. If I knew right now what the answer was I probably still wouldn't tell you because we'd probably want to announce it. But no, we haven't made any decision yet.

Marles: And we very much respect New Zealand's processes. Nauru media.

Journalist: I just want to ask, in terms of the joint collaboration between New Zealand and Australia, how will it affect the rest of the Pacific Island Countries?

Collins: I'd actually like to say that it will help the rest of the Pacific Island nations because as you know we are often called in - both Australia and New Zealand - around HADR situations when there are earthquakes, typhoons, all sorts of things going on, volcanic eruptions. The fact that we want to and are working closer together means that we don't want to get in the way of each other. We don't want to be - in other words - putting in certain amounts of assets and people to help when actually it's not going to work well with the other country that's putting in assets. So we need to make sure we co-ordinate better. But I think in terms of security, the fact that we're working even more closely together than probably any other two nations means that people understand that when you talk to us, you also talking with Australia, when you're talking to Australia, we're also hearing it too. So like we are in fact very much working as an Anzac force to make sure that we work for not only our own nations, but also for the Pacific. The Pacific is extremely important to us. It is absolutely front and centre of our defence policy and also I know for Australia's as well.

Marles: Yes. So to pick that up, the Pacific is obviously very central to the way in which we both see each other's defence and that we are doing this more jointly, I think offers the Pacific the opportunity for Pacific-led solutions to Pacific challenges. And that's a really important ambition of the Pacific Islands Forum. Now, as we work more closely together in terms of doing this, we do so through the South Pacific Defence Ministers meeting. And so we do it with the defence forces of the Pacific countries like Tonga and Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the French territories. And so, that is an opportunity. But if you go down to the program level, the Pacific maritime program, for example, which we operate, which provides Guardian Class patrol boats to countries of the Pacific, including Nauru. It is about helping in the defence of the Pacific, but it's also about helping in the protection of the most important economic asset the Pacific countries have and that's their exclusive economic zones. Those Guardian patrol boats play a really important role in terms of combating illegal and unregulated fishing. So it's a very practical example of the way in which us working together really does make a difference for the countries of the Pacific.

Wong: Could I add to that? I talk about how we share a region, we share an ocean and we share a future. And what we do is work with the countries of the region bilaterally and through the Pacific Islands Forum for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region because that is in all our interests.

Collins: Auckland, New Zealand is the largest Polynesian city in the world. We are very much connected into and part of the Pacific. And from our point of view is, we have the fourth largest maritime search and rescue area in the world. And that is mostly in the Pacific. So we are deeply committed to the Pacific. But working together with Australia just gives us better assets, better opportunities to work together, more people. And it also means Australia knows that we are there with them so we're not all going off in our same direction. Thank you Winston.

Peters: It's not commonly understood that this is our front yard, the Pacific, and you have to really get abroad sometimes and just see how wide it is. There is Micronesia, all the same DNA, all the way across to Hawaii. Then you go to South East Island, same DNA all the way down to New Zealand, all the way through Pacifica. And the second thing is we say 'Kia Ora' in New Zealand. Cook Islands from whence we came says 'Kia Orana' and on Easter Island, they say 'lorana'. And here we are making this great connection. Now the third thing I want to say to you is simply this: we don't have an option. This is the Blue Continent. It's our front yard. And the Pacific - also if you get a chance to tell your listeners and readers - more and more exciting things are happening, beaming through the Pacific now are all sorts of sports out of Australia. New Zealand getting beaten in rugby from out of New Zealand, beaten by the Drua out of Fiji. But it's all happening you know. So celebrate the great stuff we're doing because it's all being done in the interests of our front yard.