Minister for Defence - Doorstop - Defence White Paper; Freedom of Navigation

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Senator the Hon Marise Payne

Minister for Defence

Media contact
  • Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office) 0429 531 143
  • Defence Media (02) 6127 1999

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25 February 2016

Subjects: Defence White Paper; Freedom of Navigation

JOURNALIST:

Minister, why is it so important to make sure that China is included in all discussions at this time?

MINISTER PAYNE:

Well, quite clearly, China is Australia’s largest trading partner. We work closely with them in the Defence relationship. They are fundamental in this region as many of our other neighbouring nations are. As I just indicated on the ABC there a moment ago, we worked very hard in the development of the White Paper – Defence officials, Ministers, including myself, including the Prime Minister, to make sure that all of our key relationships have been part of developing the White Paper. I think I’ve indicated that there were about 200 discussions along the line with China, with the United States, with the United Kingdom, with New Zealand, with Indonesia, with Malaysia, with Singapore and the list goes on. That’s a very important part of the process.

JOURNALIST:

Minister, the Defence White Paper is expected to outline an extra $30 billion in spending over the next decade. Can the Budget afford that?

MINISTER PAYNE:

Well, we wouldn’t be making these decisions if they didn’t – if we didn’t think that they were important. We wouldn’t be making the decisions if we weren’t able to underpin them with an Integrated Investment Program, which has been externally cost-assured, and you will see that in greater detail today.

JOURNALIST:

Tony Abbott is going to Japan tomorrow and he is due to give a speech at which he will call for Australia to undertake a freedom of navigation exercise in the South China Sea. Do you think that contribution is helpful to Australia’s relations with China?

MINISTER PAYNE:

Well, we’ve been clear and very consistent. The Prime Minister, myself, the Foreign Minister, and I think the Foreign Minister very strongly reinforced those points in China when she was there last week in relation to our views about developments in the South China Sea. We’ve indicated to all claimants that we would much prefer that the sorts of activities that they are engaging in were not taking place, and it’s not just in relation to China; there are a number of other claimants of course.

Now in doing that, we also say that we will continue to reserve the right to exercise Freedom of Navigation, Freedom of Overflight in accordance with international law and our position on that has not changed.

JOURNALIST:

We understand the submarine fleet will be boosted in this announcement. How important is that to Australia’s defence and any idea when we’re likely to hear where they’ll be made?

MINISTER PAYNE:

It’s a very, very important capability. I must admit, in recent months I’ve had the opportunity to discuss at some length with the Chief of Navy, with senior officers from the Department – from Defence – how important that is to us, the work that the very strong Collins Class submarines do now. We are in the middle of a Competitive Evaluation Process; the final bids for that were received at the end of November last year and in due course, the Department will provide advice to Government on those bids and we’ll make a decision then.

JOURNALIST:

Minister Payne, you were saying a USA Admiral has also called for Australia to join Freedom of Navigation exercises in the South China Sea in terms of more formal exercises. Does Australia feel under pressure to join with the US, increasingly under pressure?

MINISTER PAYNE:

Well, Australia actually feels very strongly in the position that we hold, which is that we will always reserve the right to exercise both Freedom of Navigation and Freedom of Overflight in accordance with international law. I heard some of the Admiral’s remarks last week and he also, most importantly, said these are decisions for each individual country.

JOURNALIST:

Do you anticipate that Australia would undertake Freedom of Navigation exercises this year in the South China Sea?

MINISTER PAYNE:

I’m not going to make any public comment on future ADF operations.

JOURNALIST:

Just quickly, just one more; a couple of comments on the 2,500 additional troops, 2,300 redefined jobs. Can you provide a breakdown of how many are provided from the Air Force, Army, and Navy?

MINISTER PAYNE:

Why don’t you wait for a little bit later this morning? Thanks everyone, hope to see you at the launch.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office)          0429 531 143

Defence Media                                         (02) 6127 1999

 

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