Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a Strategic Partnership with President of the Philippines HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jr during his visit to Manila on 8 September.

The new Strategic Partnership establishes an enduring framework for closer cooperation with the Philippines, one of Australia’s key partners in Southeast Asia, based on a strong alignment of strategic interests.

In Manila, Prime Minister Albanese announced the following initiatives to boost ties with the Philippines:

1. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1946, the Republic of the Philippines and the Commonwealth of Australia have developed a strong and enduring partnership built on mutual respect, understanding and shared values.
2. We recall that the Comprehensive Partnership between the Philippines and Australia established in 2015 highlights the concerted efforts of our governments and peoples to advance bilateral relations.
3. Recognising the strength and dynamism of our long-standing bilateral ties and to mark a new chapter in our relations, the Philippines and Aus

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I just say that it was a great honour to be the first Australian Prime Minister in twenty years to make a bilateral visit to the Philippines. And can I thank President Marcos and Mrs. Marcos for their gracious hosting of us today. It was a very successful visit with some practical outcomes, taking the relationship between Australia and the Philippines up to a new level. Included in that, of course, is the strategic partnership that we signed today.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I'm very pleased to have returned to India and participated in the G20 Summit.

The G20 is such an important body. It represents 85 per cent of global GDP. And that's why what happened here matters. That matters at home as well. Because we know that inflation is a global problem, and international engagement is part of the solution.

Whether it's climate change, energy, resources or supply chains, being part of these conversations means that Australia gets to shape the solutions.

Prime Minister Albanese joined world leaders in New Delhi this weekend for the G20 Leaders' Summit to discuss collective responses to the world’s most pressing economic challenges.

G20 leaders discussed global measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including free, fair and rules-based trade, enhancing supply chain resilience and shoring up food and energy security.

Australia’s attendance at the G20 Summit allows our country to work with the world’s major economies to shape solutions for our region and the world.

The Albanese Government is set to deliver the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade, with welcome new support today for the Housing Australia Future Fund meaning the legislation is set to pass the Senate later this week.

The passage of this legislation, along with the commitments made at last month’s National Cabinet, represents the most significant reforms to housing in a generation.

Delivering the Housing Australia Future Fund will ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I want to acknowledge all of the veterans who are with is this evening, and all serving men and women of the ADF.

We have been so harshly reminded in recent months that the absence of war is no guarantor of safety for the men and women who serve in our name with such character, valour and integrity.

Every member of the ADF has my respect.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm very pleased to be back here in Jakarta for my third visit to Indonesia as Prime Minister to attend the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum hosted by my friend, President Widodo, this week. And I'm particularly pleased to launch today, Invested: Australia Southeast Asia's Economic Strategy to 2040. This is a significant document for Australia's future.

Thank you all for coming today.

And thank you Ambassador Williams and Pak Arsjad for hosting this event.

It’s great to see so many leaders from our business communities here.

Since my government was elected in mid-2022, I have had the pleasure of regularly meeting leaders in government and business from across this region.

And a common thread through all my interactions has been a sense of energy and enthusiasm to work together in new ways.

On the security issues facing our region.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I was very pleased to meet with Premier Li today on the margins of the East Asia Summit. And I'm encouraged by the progress we've made since I met President Xi in Bali last year. We had a frank and constructive discussion, welcomed progress, and renewed engagement. I raised a range of bilateral and other issues including impediments to trade between our two countries, consular cases, as well as human rights. We also discussed regional and international security issues.