Defence Minister’s meeting with counterparts represents a ‘significant message’ to the world

Defence Minister Richard Marles has held a media conference in Hawaii with his ministerial counterparts from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.  “We meet at a time when the global rules-based order is under intense pressure,” Mr Marles said.  “Our four countries are utterly committed to asserting freedom of navigation, to asserting the UN Convention on the law of the sea, to asserting the global rules-based order around the oceans of the world.  “Our alliance with the United States has been a cornerstone of Australia’s national security since World War Two.  “And today, the security relationship that we have with both Japan and the Philippines has never been closer.  “The meetings that we have held represent a very significant message to the region and to the world.”