Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027
Mr SOON (Banks) (17:37): In my first speech to the House, I talked about my time as an Australian diplomat and how alliances work in practice. In an increasingly uncertain world, our diplomatic relations have never been more important. The budget handed down by the Treasurer three weeks ago will continue to invest in strengthening Australia's relationships, our region, our resilience and ensuring we remain secure and influential.
The uncertain international environment that we are operating in is an important context for foreign affairs and trade. Countries across the Indo-Pacific are confronting a triple shock of major global aid cuts, trade disruptions and energy insecurity as a result of conflict. Each of these challenges risk increasing instability in our immediate region, and undermining years of hard earned diplomatic gains.
A stronger, safer and sovereign Pacific is good for our region and good for Australia, and this Labor government is investing in rebuilding relationships and restoring trust and friendship in the Pacific so that Australia can once again be the partner of choice. There is no better demonstration than the deepening of our relationships with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga with landmark agreements that strengthen our economic integration, climate resilience and regional security cooperation.
And we welcomed the new prime minister of the Solomon Islands to parliament today as part of a high-level delegation agreeing to negotiate a new comprehensive treaty. Through the Pacific Islands Forum, we are backing responses to energy supply disruptions and inflation that are Pacific led, such as regional energy distribution hubs in Fiji, deepening our relationships by making sure our neighbours are equal partners.
There is no country more important to Australia's national security than Indonesia. The Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security—or, more simply, the Jakarta treaty—signed in February 2026, represents a major step in the bilateral relationship between our nations, and the most significant one in decades. Alongside the budget's $33.2 million in funding to institutionalise the Jakarta treaty, we are working to increase the prevalence of Indonesian language and country expertise within our own nation and creating new leadership dialogues to foster connections and understanding between the next generation of Indonesian and Australian leaders.
Australia and Indonesia share deep trust and an unbreakable bond as neighbours, partners and friends, and we are building the future of the Australia-Indonesia partnership during this time of instability and uncertainty. Additionally, Australia's partnership with India continues to build on the unprecedented progress that we have made across the strategic, economic and people-to-people relationship.
The $25.3 million allocated in the budget will allow us to expand on the opportunities created by India's rapid economic growth. By enhancing commercial links with India, including through the Australia-India CEO Forum, we will create new opportunities to diversify our trade flows and build secure and open supply chains for our exporters and businesses, creating jobs and promoting economic growth.
When it comes to the difference between those opposite and this government, the contrast is clear. While the Liberals lectured the Pacific and left a vacuum for others to fill, this government is stepping up to the challenge. The investments we make in our region help stop people smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and the spread of disease and help address climate change.
It is cheaper, smarter and safer to invest in stabilising our region now than to deal with the consequences of instability later. This budget delivers that investment to support peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening Australia's partnerships and protecting Australians at home.