BUDGET 2008-09

DEFENCE COOPERATION AND INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

The 2008-09 Budget provides $85 million for military cooperation with Australia’s allies, friends and partners around the world, Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, announced today.

Mr Fitzgibbon said Australia’s defence cooperation and international engagement activities form a key part of our international diplomacy and our place in the world.

“This year's Budget provides funding to support a wide range of defence cooperation engagement activities,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Australia-United States Ministerial consultations held in Canberra in February 2008 confirmed the commitment of both countries to the Alliance and to working towards common security challenges.

“In 2008-09, Australia will progress practical initiatives designed to enhance defence cooperation in the areas of defence trade, joint training, interoperability, communications and intelligence collaboration,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“The Australia-US Alliance is a cornerstone of our security and benefits both nations,” he said.

The Rudd Labor Government will continue to build on the strong defence and security relationship we have with Japan, including through strategic discussions, high-level visits, ship visits, educational exchanges and     working-level exchanges on issues such as peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and disaster relief.

In Southeast Asia, the Australian Defence Force will deliver extensive training and education to regional militaries and will cooperate closely with regional partners to address key security challenges.

Defence will focus on countering regional terrorism - particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

“In 2008-09, we will seek to boost regional security cooperation through discussions with our neighbours.  We will commit $26 million to defence cooperation in Southeast Asia,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

In the Pacific, Defence will focus on building stability, mainly through our longstanding Defence Cooperation Program. 

“This program is geared toward building professional, sustainable and effective defence forces across the region through training, military exercises, exchanges and strategic discussions,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“Throughout 2008-09, we will work with Timor-Leste in areas such as    nation-building and training.  In 2008-09, Defence will commit $51 million to defence cooperation in the Southwest Pacific, including $13 million for engagement with Papua New Guinea”, he said.

“During the election campaign, Labor committed to restoring the balance of our engagement back to our local region.  We are delivering on that commitment,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Government will invest $5.1 million over four years to establish an     Asia-Pacific Centre for Civil-Military Cooperation.  This will focus on peace and stabilisation operations and complex emergency responses.

In East Asia, the Rudd Government will continue to develop our bilateral defence relationship with China. 

In 2008-09, Defence will commit $700,000 to defence cooperation with Iraq.  This support will include visits to Australia by senior Iraqi military figures and training in various Australian Defence institutions.

“The Government is committed to a democratic and secure future for Iraq and the Iraqi people,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

In Afghanistan, Australia continues to work with NATO forces as part of the International Security Assistance Force.

“Australia is working closely with Afghan, Dutch and other coalition partners to set the conditions for a brighter future for the people of Afghanistan,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“Implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Political Military Plan for Afghanistan with International Security Assistance Force partners will be a key engagement outcome for 2008-09.

“As the largest non-NATO contributor, this substantial Australian commitment complements the efforts made by NATO to strengthen a weak state, disrupt terrorist operations and bolster security,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Media contacts:

Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):         02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664