Australia says committed to Southeast Asia’s stability, allays fears over Aukus nuclear submarines

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who wrapped up the last leg of her regional tour in Malaysia, said the new Labor government is ‘listening’ to the concerns of its neighbours

She also sought to assuage Asean’s fears over the Aukus security pact, saying Canberra won’t have any nuclear capability on its submarines

Reading Time:2 minutes

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong greets her Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah in Putrajaya on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 8:13pm, 28 Jun 2022

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday reiterated the Albanese administration’s commitment to uphold stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia as she paid her first official visit to Malaysia.

Wong, who wrapped up the last leg of a tour of the region, said Australia and Southeast Asia’s future are intertwined.

“We share the same future because we share the same region,” she said at a joint news conference with her Malaysian counterpart, Saifuddin Abdullah.

Echoing her commitment in Vietnam on Monday that “size and power” are not ways to settle disputes, Wong also said Australia stands by its commitment to keep Southeast Asia a region that is stable and prosperous where “sovereignty is respected”.

“And importantly, a region where rules enable some predictability to state’s behaviour and to the way in which disputes are settled,” she said.

Her trip comes on the heels of a visit to Jakarta by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this month.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x