Ask an Expert: 60 Years of Australia-Singapore Bilateral Relations edition

In this special SG60 edition of Ask an Expert, Emily Follett, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore, answers your questions about Australia and Singapore's partnership in the past 60 years and looking forward:

Q: How have the diplomatic priorities between the two nations evolved since the establishment of formal ties between the two countries in 1965?

A: While defence and education remain key to our bilateral relationship, it is fair to say that our respective priorities have evolved in line with our economic and political advancement. Our mutual support for the multilateral trading system (and the international rules and norms that underpin our prosperity) is a great example of an area of increased focus in more recent decades – and something both Australia and Singapore remain invested in. We also share a strong interest in a stable and prosperous region: to that end, the role of ASEAN has been very important, both to Singapore as a founding member and to Australia as ASEAN’s first dialogue partner.

Q: The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) was established in 2015 and is due to be refreshed later this year, how is it shaping current priorities, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for deepening collaboration?

A: The great thing about the CSP is that it gave a framework to our ever-expanding bilateral cooperation. When two countries are as close in mindset and approach as we are, it is unsurprising that over the years we have found more and more areas to cooperate on. By grouping our activities into thematic pillars, we’re also able to see how the weight of the engagement is spread. Our trust in each other is also strong and enables us to undertake pathfinder activities, such as our Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) and Green Economy Agreement (GEA). 

In terms of opportunities, our defence and security relationship is already very dense and will continue to thrive but there is more we can do now in related areas such as border management and pandemic preparedness. More broadly, both countries are undertaking significant energy transitions in our economies. We are looking at how instruments like the Green Economy Agreement can continue to adapt and expand to help us accelerate our green transitions and support others to do the same.

Q: What are the key areas of focus for the next decade of Australia-Singapore relations?

A: We want to continue to deepen our cooperation on education and defence and continue to grow our people-to-people ties: these are enduring areas important to both of us. The energy transition will be another key focus, with Asia and particularly Southeast Asia essential for meeting the world’s emission goals. Both Australia and Singapore see opportunities in the transition and we are working together to capture these opportunities while helping to accelerate the region’s transition. One of the key drivers behind a 10-year timeframe for the CSP is that we don’t know what’s coming up. In 2015, we had never heard of a Green Economy Agreement. In 2015, the potential of AI was not really clear to most of us. So while we don’t always know what is around the corner, the CSP gives us an architecture to explore opportunities and take cooperation forward.  

Q: Are there any emerging industries where both countries are looking to collaborate more closely?

A: Given both countries’ strong research and development capabilities we’re always looking to collaborate more in new and emerging industries. In the green economy we both have high ambitions in developing low-carbon liquid fuels, including for the maritime and aviation sectors. We’re also looking at opportunities in carbon capture and storage, and are both very active in promoting sustainable finance flows across the region. In the public health space, we are looking to build on our close collaboration during Covid-19 to strengthen both countries’ readiness for future pandemics.

Q:  In your time as the Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore so far, what are some highlights in your role and why?

A: The recent visit by the Governor-General, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn was a real highlight for me. It was extremely timely given the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence and diplomatic relations with Australia. The visit covered the breadth of our relationship, including defence, business and people-to-people links and was characterised by incredible warmth and respect on both sides. It was a privilege to witness Her Excellency appointing Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia and I particularly enjoyed getting to cheer on our Australian swimmers alongside the Governor-General at the World Aquatics Championships finals.

Q: For an Australian business looking to enter Singapore or vice versa, what is the best way to engage with the High Commission, Austrade, and AustCham to support their expansion journey?

A: If you're an Australian business interested in setting up in Singapore or a Singaporean business looking to expand to Australia, you can reach out to Austrade for advice or support by phone or email -Singapore@austrade.gov.au .  Austrade's dedicated trade and investment teams can help work with your business to expand into the region. More details here - https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/contact-us/international-offices/singapore 
 

 Ask an Expert is a monthly series in which we call on subject experts within the AustCham Singapore community to answer questions that we may have on a specific topic. The strength of our community is in the diverse expertise within our membership, and we want to use this initiative to tap on the knowledge of our members to enrich the community as a whole.

Our expert for this month is Emily Follett, a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to taking up her position as Deputy High Commissioner in Singapore in December 2023, she was most recently Assistant Secretary, Agriculture and Non-Tariff Barriers Branch. She has previously served
overseas at the Australian Mission in Vientiane and Washington.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Laws from Australian National University.

Connect with Emily on LinkedIn.