MINISTER FOR DEFENCE RENEWS TREATY WITH SINGAPORE

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, and the Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Teo Chee Hean, signed a treaty to renew Singapore’s use of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area on Sunday 31 May 2009.

The signing took place at a ceremony after the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

“The signing of the treaty reaffirms Australia’s close defence partnership with Singapore, which is based on common strategic understandings and close cooperation between our military forces,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The treaty, first signed in 1995, governs the conduct of Exercise Wallaby, one of Singapore’s largest military exercises, that is held in Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton in Queensland every year.

“This year marks the 20^th anniversary of Singapore’s use of Shoalwater Bay Training Area for Exercise Wallaby, and it is fitting that we were able to renew this treaty today,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“Singapore has demonstrated its commitment to working with the Rockhampton community and respecting the environment around Shoalwater Bay.”

The new treaty, though substantially similar to the current one, includes additional references to domestic legislation to further clarify responsibilities under local environmental law.

Mr Fitzgibbon also discussed the recent release of the Defence White Paper with Deputy Prime Minister Teo, and was able to reinforce the importance of Singapore as one of Australia’s key strategic partners in South East Asia.

“The White Paper identifies Singapore as one of Australia’s key defence partners in Southeast Asia, and we will continue to look for opportunities to expand our bilateral cooperation,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Mr Fitzgibbon also used the occasion to thank Deputy Prime Minister Teo for Singapore’s support to Australian operations in Afghanistan.

“Australia greatly appreciates the support that Singapore has shown to the ADF throughout its deployment of forces to Afghanistan,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Media contacts:

Clare Enyi (Joel Fitzgibbon):                               02 6277 7800 or 0404 893 565

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664