PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Ms McKENZIE (Flinders) (18:11): I rise to support the principles which underpin this motion by the member for Sturt in regard to the Australia-European Union Security and Defence Partnership. Together with the member for Sturt, I serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, which will explore our relationship with Europe through our examination of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement.

Since being elected to this place, I have co-chaired the Parliamentary Friends of the European Parliament. I have lived, worked and studied in the EU. I speak three of the union's languages—or four, I suppose, given that English still counts as one.

Without trying to do the government's publicity, it does need to be said that the Australian and European relationship has reached a high-water mark in recent years, with Australia having concluded the free trade agreement and the security and defence partnership, with our participation in Horizon Europe and with the strategic partnership on sustainable critical minerals value chains signed back in 2024.

Our relationship with Europe as a trade, investment and strategic partner is essential. As a bloc, the EU is our third-largest trading partner and second-largest source of foreign investment. The free trade agreement provides a starting point in terms of building a bigger market with Europe's 450 million consumers.

While more could and should have been achieved for red meat, the deal will prove beneficial for our fruit and vegetable exporters, as well as those who produce our high-quality seafood, nuts, wine, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing goods. Horizon Europe will shepherd collaboration between Australia's top researchers and those from Europe across new technologies, advanced computing, clean energy, health, and critical minerals, bringing our research institutions and shared curiosity closer together.

The security and defence partnership with Europe is timely. The world is becoming a more dangerous and less predictable place. Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine continues; it is now into its fifth year.

Conflict rages in the Middle East and its social and economic effects spill over into our supply chains and domestic politics. In such an enduring and destabilised environment, Australia needs like-minded friends—reliable, constant, predictable, like-minded friends. In February, I was able to visit Australia's mission to the European Union, and I spent time with Australia's ambassador to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO, His Excellency General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, and his deputy head of mission, David Brightling.

It's hard to imagine better mentors in the matters of EU-Australia strategic and trade partnership, and I take this opportunity to thank Angus and David and their teams for the impact that they are having in building an already strong relationship into one which is even deeper and enhances our shared commitment to the rules based international order. This partnership establishes cooperation across a broad range of areas, including cybersecurity, maritime security, defence-industry collaboration, counterterrorism, space and emerging technologies.

These are the front lines of modern conflict. Today's strategic competition is not fought solely by armies; it is fought through critical minerals, satellite networks, artificial intelligence, supply chains, cybersystems and economic coercion. One of the most encouraging aspects of this partnership is the opportunity it creates for Australian businesses developing cutting-edge defence technologies and sovereign capability.

Australian innovators are already producing world-class solutions in advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, cybersecurity and aerospace technology. The challenge is ensuring that those businesses can access markets, investment and partnerships that allow them to continue to grow. This agreement can help achieve exactly that.

But, to do so, our capability must match the aspirations in this document. In a few weeks, I will have the opportunity to participate in the ADF's Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory. Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force's premier international air combat exercise.

This year, it will bring together more than 100 aircraft and personnel from 19 allied and partner nations to train in complex, realistic scenarios. But what makes Pitch Black so important is not simply the aircraft involved but the relationships built, including with our NATO allies, who typically participate in this biannual event in Darwin. This is exactly what the Australia-European Union partnership seeks to strengthen.

Deterrence works best when potential adversaries understand that democratic nations are coordinated, capable and united. Australia's prosperity and security depend upon a stable international environment and strong partnerships with like-minded nations. This agreement is another step in that direction, and I support stronger cooperation with our European partners and the accompanying efforts to combat terrorism, foreign interference and online radicalisation.

In a world becoming more contested, more competitive and more dangerous, Australia cannot stand alone. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Dr Haines ): The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.