Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in Australia to visit service personnel taking part in Exercise Wallaby and Exercise Trident 2022 and called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today. Earlier this afternoon, Dr Ng laid a wreath at the Australian War memorial in honour of the Australian soldiers who had given their lives in war, including in defence of Singapore during World War II.

Both Ministers reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship and discussed enhancing cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They expressed the importance of the joint development of training areas and advanced training facilities in Queensland, Australia, such as the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. These facilities, being developed under the 2020 Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development, will benefit both Armed Forces through an increase in training capacity and more sophisticated training opportunities.

During his visit to Australia, Dr Ng met with Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie, and will also be meeting Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.