Malcolm Turnbull has declared a new chapter in Australia’s relationship with Singapore after the two countries agreed to defence force collaboration.
The prime minister welcomed his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong as the first leader of the country to address the Australian parliament, while declaring the two nations natural partners.
“Our decision to grant Singapore the special level of access underlies the enormous trust and respect that exists between our respective armed forces,” Mr Turnbull told parliament on Wednesday.
It is understood the leaders will seal a $2 billion deal in which 14,000 Singaporean troops will train for 18 weeks a year in central and northern Queensland.
Mr Lee spoke of the historical relationship between the two nations, noting many Australian troops died while fighting to defend Singapore from Japanese forces in WWII.
“Singapore will never forget their sacrifice,” he told MPs and senators.
The prime minister said he was “very happy” the comprehensive strategic partnership had allowed the two nations’ relationship to reach another milestone.
Mr Lee questioned how a wide brown land and a little red dot could forge such a deep bond.
He noted Australia was more than 10,000 times the size of Singapore, with the ACT three times the size of his country.
“We are smaller than many sheep farms,” he told parliament.
While Australia had abundant natural resources, Singapore has none.
“We even have to import water from Malaysia,” Mr Lee said.
Both nations believe the United States plays a major role in fostering peace and stability in Asia, while having substantial ties with other nations.
“For both of us, China is our largest trading partner.”
He praised Mr Turnbull for inviting ASEAN to a summit in Australia in 2018, when Singapore will be the chair.
Mr Lee spoke fondly of the informal and candid relationship between the two peoples, saying neither “beat around the bush” and both could “hang loose”.
He recounted a recent visit to Singapore by former prime minister Tony Abbott, who Mr Lee invited to an Aussie-style barbecue before going out for dinner.
While ensuring he chose good Australian wine, Mr Lee admitted he forgot the check where the steak came from.
When Mr Abbott asked, the chef replied with directness and candour that it was from the United States.
“I will have to do better when Prime Minister Turnbull visits us next year,” Mr Lee said.
More than 20,000 Australians live and work in Singapore, in all sorts of professions, he said.
Mr Lee said the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement signed in 2003 was Australia’s first outside of New Zealand and has helped make Singapore Australia’s fifth largest trading partner.
Both countries work closely to fight terrorism, sharing intelligence and carrying out counter-terrorism operations.
“It’s important always, and is especially worth mentioning today on the anniversary of the Bali bombings,” he said.
Both defence forces co-operate and train together, particularly at bases in Queensland and Western Australia.
“I hope we have been good guests,” Mr Lee said.
Mr Lee noted 400,000 Singaporeans visited Australia last year and about one million Australians visited the city state.
“We feel quite at home in each other’s countries,” he said.
“Singaporeans may not quaff quite as much beer as Australians but I have it on good authority that Victoria Bitter goes well with chilli crabs.” 9news.com
