Colleagues, the maritime domain is at the heart of our shared security and prosperity.
Our people depend on ships carrying fuel, food and resources.
As a middle power, Australia will continue to support the rules and norms that underpin our shared prosperity and security.
Australia believes all nations, regardless of their size, must play by the same rules – including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
UNCLOS protects freedom of navigation and overflight.
UNCLOS provides binding mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes
And it gives countries confidence that their lawful rights cannot simply be set aside by those with greater power.
That is why we are concerned by conduct such as unsafe intercepts of vessels and aircraft. And the disruption of legitimate economic activity.
Iran’s weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz, its ongoing attacks on merchant vessels and seafarers, have choked one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
We all continue to grapple with energy supply disruptions and rising fuel costs.
This is also placing pressure on food security, and the costs are borne by the most vulnerable.
We cannot accept a world where countries must pay a toll to exercise rights guaranteed under international law.
That is why Australia has joined the European Union-led ‘No Fees/No Tolls’ pledge.
In the South China Sea, we call on all parties to exercise restraint, to lower tensions, and to comply with the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which is final and legally binding on the parties.
Australia will continue to work with our regional partners to shape a peaceful, stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific.
