DPM Teo Calls on Australian Prime Minister

23 Nov 2010

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean calling on Australian Prime Minister at Parliament House.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean called on Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Canberra today. Both parties reaffirmed the close and broad-based bilateral relations between the two countries, of which the strong and long-standing defence ties are a key pillar. Their meeting also reinforced the political support from both countries for the extensive interactions and cooperation between both armed forces, including the ongoing cooperation in the multinational reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

During his working visit to , Mr Teo also met with Defence Minister Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs , Senator , Opposition Leader , Shadow Minister for Defence David Johnston, Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity , Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Minister for Sport, and Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Honourable Mark Arbib and Chief Government Whip . At a joint press conference with Mr Smith yesterday, Mr Teo reiterated Singapore's appreciation of the strong and extensive defence relationship between Singapore and Australia. "We are very grateful for the opportunities that Australia has provided for Singapore to train here in Australia. It

1 has been a great help to us, our training in Shoalwater Bay as well as our flight training in Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce in . I have just visited both places and it is going very well, and we are very grateful for the cooperation," said Mr Teo.

Mr Teo had also visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force Flying Training Institute in the Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce earlier. He had also witnessed an integrated live- firing involving air and land platforms such as the F-16 fighter aircraft, Apache AH-64 helicopters and Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer, Primus, when he visited the Singapore Armed Forces troops participating in Exercise Wallaby 2010 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland.

2