Sub-regional Defence Ministers' meeting on Counter-Terrorism: The Perth Meeting concludes

On 2 February 2018, Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne hosted Brunei Darussalam Second Minister of Defence Pehin Dato Haji Halbi bin Mohd Yussof, Indonesian Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu, Malaysian Deputy Minister of Defence HE Dato’ Sri Mohd Johari bin Baharum, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Singapore Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman and Thailand Deputy Minister of Defence General Chaichan Changmongkol in Perth for the inaugural Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism.

Minister Payne said the meeting established an important forum for enhancing defence counter-terrorism cooperation in South East Asia. 

“The Perth Meeting provided a platform for the Ministers to reaffirm a shared commitment for defence organisations to work together in the fight against terrorism,” Minister Payne said. 

“We shared lessons learned from recent operations and discussed enhanced measures to improve information sharing and identified opportunities to work together to improve maritime security counter-terrorism cooperation in the region.” 

Minister Payne said the practical cooperation between the region’s defence forces is a vital aspect of whole-of-government counter-terrorism strategies.

“Denying terrorist groups a foothold in our region is a vital mission for regional defence forces. This sub-regional meeting is invaluable in building the collective capacity of Australia and our regional partners to disrupt and defeat terrorists at their source,” she said.

“I am pleased Indonesia will host the next Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in 2019.”