Second Minister for Defence Calls on Australian Defence Minister 23 Nov 2009 Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen discussing regional security issues with Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner at Parliament House, Canberra, Australia. Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen called on Australian Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner in Canberra this morning. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed regional security issues of mutual concern, and reaffirmed the strong and broad-based bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Australia. Dr Ng, who is on an official visit to Australia from 22 to 25 November 2009, also called on Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Julia Gillard and Shadow Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston, and met with Minister for Defence Personnel, Material and Science Greg Combet. Tomorrow, Dr Ng will visit Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops participating in the annual Exercise Wallaby at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia. He will observe an integrated livefiring exercise involving major air and land platforms such as the Apache attack helicopters, Pegasus lightweight howitzers and Leopard 2A4 Main 1 Battle Tanks. Some 3,900 SAF personnel are taking part in this year's exercise, which is being conducted from 16 October to 29 November 2009. Dr Ng's visit to Australia is part of the regular ministerial exchanges between Singapore and Australia and underscores the close bilateral defence ties between the two countries. The SAF and the Australian Defence Force also interact extensively through bilateral and multilateral training exercises, visits, professional exchanges and military courses. Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen calling on Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Julia Gillard at Parliament House, Canberra, Australia. 2 .