Australia and the Philippines: A long history of cooperation

As Ambassador to the Philippines, I gain great pleasure from reflecting on the extent of the Australian–Philippines relationship and from being reminded how warm and close the friendship is.

We have come a long way since first establishing diplomatic relations in 1946, with an Australian Consulate-General opening in Manila. Our soldiers had already stood together in battle, and learned the cost of friendship during World War II.

Today, more than 250,000 Filipinos live in Australia. And that number is growing. The number of Australians choosing to live and work here also increases each year. Our bilateral relationship is broad and deep, from development assistance and immigration issues, to regional and security cooperation, trade and investment.

The Philippines–Australia Ministerial Meeting, a Secretary-level meeting of Foreign and Trade Ministers held every two years, is one important element in carrying the relationship forward. It provides our Governments the opportunity to undertake a regular stocktake of the relationship, and to see where we can further develop it.

In February 2014, Australia’s Foreign Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, and our Trade and Investment Minister, the Hon. Andrew Robb MP, met their Philippine counterparts,  Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Albert del Rosario, and the Secretary for Trade and Investment, the Hon. Gregory Domingo. Our Ministers loved the warm welcome they received – no one welcomes more warmly than Filipinos!

The four Ministers agreed the time was right to pursue a more ambitious bilateral relationship.

In thinking about how to work together more closely, the Secretaries and Ministers identified six key areas: development assistance; economic ties; people-to-people links; security cooperation; and cooperation in the region.

This year, Australian aid to the Philippines will be more than A$170 million (P6.8 billion). Australia is the largest bilateral grant donor to the Philippines education sector and during her visit Ms Bishop announced a further A$150 million (P6 billion) in assistance through the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) program.

Any assistance must build capacity for future prosperity, so to bolster economic growth Ms Bishop also pledged US$2.5 (over P111 million) for much-needed infrastructure projects across the Philippines through Public-Private Partnerships.

Australia will also help to support and implement the peace process in Mindanao, with an additional A$6 million (PHP 240 million) committed. It is hoped that finalisation of the Agreement will see greater peace and security for the Philippines, and greater prosperity for that region.

On defense and security, our Ministers and Secretaries expressed their satisfaction that the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, in force since 2012, is being implemented successfully. Under this Agreement Philippines Defense Force personnel receive training in Australia and it allowed for the swift deployment of Australian Defense Force assets to affected areas following Typhoon Yolanda.

We already enjoy close cooperation in our region and we will look to increase this in key forums such as APEC, ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. In the South China Sea, we encourage all parties to clarify and pursue territorial claims and maritime entitlements peacefully and in accordance with international law. We support closer ASEAN-China negotiations for the early conclusion of a substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

During the visit the Ministers met President Aquino, who recognised the importance of strong people-to-people links between our countries. Australia wants to build these links by assisting our students to work and study overseas in the Philippines, and throughout Asia, under the New Colombo Plan.

Australia and the Philippines have an enduring friendship, with increasing activity and exchange in almost every aspect. I am proud that the Ministers of both our countries have agreed that the time is now to extend and deepen the relationship.