Press conference - Vientiane, Laos

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's been an extremely productive and effective two days here. Whether it was the bilateral meetings that I had with the leaders of China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Canada, New Zealand or Timor-Leste or the participation in the East Asia Summit, or the participation in the Australia-ASEAN Summit as well. It was a time where we could advance Australia's interests. And we have an interest in this region. We're a part of this region. There's some half a million jobs are dependent upon trade right here with ASEAN nations. And with the decision that we were able to achieve cooperatively with China yesterday, the announcement of the resumption of trade in live lobster means essentially that those 3000 jobs in Australia are secure into the future. And it means a significant economic benefit, particularly in our regions - in Tasmania, in South Australia, in Western Australia and in other parts of our economy. So, this is good news. I come to these forums in order to advance Australia's national interest, in order to protect jobs and enhance our economic engagement. And this morning, with the business meeting that was held, chaired, of course, by Nicholas Moore, and the extraordinary work that's been done with the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, we've seen that progress. Already some 47 of those recommendations have been implemented. We're seeing the establishment of business investment here with literally hundreds of engagements from increased investment by businesses here in Southeast Asia that makes a difference to jobs back home and increases profits, but also makes a contribution to economic development in the region. I thank those business leaders who've made the effort to come here to Laos as well to participate in the business forums over the last couple of days. And in the engagement I've had with leaders, they've all commented positively on specific programs that have gone forward on new investment that we're seeing across logistics, across IT, across green energy, in all of these areas which are in Australia's interests. We are looking forward, this afternoon I'll participate in the Asia Zero Economic Community meeting. That's being convened by the new Prime Minister of Japan, who I will be having a bilateral meeting after this press conference with, as well. It will be good. I was one of the first people to ring the new Prime Minister after his election. He, of course, has called a full election and the Diet has been suspended for that election to take place in just a couple of weeks' time. It says something about Japan's priority for this region, that he's still here playing an important role. And I look forward this morning to that because the transition to net zero is an ongoing theme with all of the countries that I've engaged with here over the last couple of days. Happy to take some questions.

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible) said and I quote, "stability is secured through collective responsibility." On that front, will you support the Japanese Prime Minister's idea of an Asian NATO?

PRIME MINISTER: Look, that hasn't been raised during these two days. What we have is our own security arrangements that are in place. They include the Quad of which Japan, India and the United States are our partners. We met recently. I discussed with Prime Minister Modi the holding of the Quad that will take place early next year. That will be important. He will host it in India.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you're about to hold a bilateral with the new Prime Minister of Japan. Political leaders and business figures have repeatedly raised concerns about Australia's gas policies. Should they be concerned and will you seek to reassure the Prime Minister we remain a reliable supplier?

PRIME MINISTER: We are absolutely reliable suppliers and we consistently, when we meet with Japan or the Republic of Korea - I had a really good meeting with President Yoon, and I had a terrific relationship with Prime Minister Kishida. I look forward to developing a relationship with the new Japanese Prime Minister and his Administration when it's appointed after the election, if he is successful in coming through that election. But Australia has always been reliable energy partners. The debate that we are having is 'what are the new opportunities?' The opportunities are there in hydrogen, for example, is something that was specifically addressed by President Yoon of South Korea.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you were seated between the Filipino President and Chinese Premier Li. What was the feeling like at that table?

PRIME MINISTER: It was a good discussion. I was able to have a good meeting with Premier Li yesterday, and I had a range of discussions with my friend, President Marcos, who, of course, we had speak to the Australian Parliament earlier this year. We have good relations with The Philippines and President Marcos, and on an informal basis, we had a discussion before the dinner last night, quite a long conversation about the work that we're doing together on defence and security, but importantly, as well, on our economy and on energy. All of these issues are important.

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible)

PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have extensive engagements. One of the things I spoke about in my contribution today at the East Asia Summit, is we're strong supporters of freedom of navigation and freedom of flight. We're also strong supporters of UNCLOS, the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, that is important going forward.

JOURNALIST: Is there tension between the Vietnamese and China?

PRIME MINISTER: No, people are mature in the way that they deal with things. These - I'm not sure if they had a discussion or not. I certainly had discussions with both of them. I showed Premier Li a photo of our Foreign Minister and our Trade Minister holding up very large live lobsters, and already I informed him that it was well received, the announcement that we were able to make yesterday.

JOURNALIST: Just on the EAS, obviously you had a lot of discussions with leaders there. How confident are you about reaching a (inaudible) on the Middle East and negotiating a statement from the EAS?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, the EAS will be doing a Leaders' Statement, rather than a statement from all of the countries.

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible)

PRIME MINISTER: The leaders will be issuing a statement. With regard to the Middle East, it was a very common thread through people's contribution of calls for de-escalation when it comes to the Middle East conflict.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Japan's Prime Minister has been pushing this idea of an Asian NATO. It's had a fairly lukewarm reception in Southeast Asia. To clarify, is it your view that existing security arrangements and alliances like the Quad, like AUKUS are enough to keep China contained?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have our own arrangements, and it's not a matter of containing. It's a matter of making sure that the International Rule of Law applies. It's making sure that we have peace and security in the region. Australia has defence relationships, including our defence relationship with Japan.

JOURNALIST: Do you hear that the Japanese Prime Minister's idea will be viewed as provocation from Beijing?

PRIME MINISTER: It was not something that was raised today. I can talk about things that were raised. There was a lot raised. I've been in a lot of meetings, and apart from this press conference, those issues have not been raised by anybody except for this press conference. So, read into that whatever you want. What I won't do is pre-empt what I'll raise at the meeting. I treat these meetings with respect, and I'll continue to do that, and that's one of the reasons why I believe Australia's position is held with respect. People know where we're coming from. We're clear about our positions. We're clear about what we stand for, and that is something that's respected throughout the region.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, what does China want in exchange for the resumption of trade in lobsters? Did Premier Li request you to join the CPTPP?

PRIME MINISTER: I don't engage in a transactional way. You know what China gets out of getting our live lobsters? Our live lobsters. They're pretty good. And this is a win-win. It's a win for our producers who get to export to China, and it's a win for the consumers of China. One of the things that we've seen about Australian products since the impediments were removed is that whether it's barley or wine, we've seen them come back at greater levels than they were before the impediments were put in place. And that's because Australia produces great products, and we have a pristine environment. We have clean, sustainable agriculture, and it's in demand throughout the world. And live lobsters aren't something that grows in the quality that we have. I think we have the best products in the world. One of my jobs at these forums is to promote that. I've been doing that with Australian businesses here. Thanks a lot.

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