Opinion | In a dangerous tilt, Australia’s defence hawks are moving foreign policy away from diplomacy

Australia has found a new best friend in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has embraced Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, calling their countries “great friends” and agreeing to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership.

But the intensification of defence cooperation between Australia and the Philippines – both staunch US military allies – sounds a discordant note in Canberra’s relationship with the region, especially after Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s efforts at peaceful diplomacy and economic outreach.

At the Asean Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta, Wong accompanied Albanese as he unveiled “Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040”, a blueprint for economic engagement detailing how Australia intended to increase its business and soft power in the region.

In it, Australia commits to spending at least A$95.4 million over four years. This hardly compares to the US$2.8 billion price tag for a Virginia-class submarine, which Australia is committed to buying up to five of, under the Aukus deal. But the blueprint was a statement of ambition, and full marks go to Wong for commissioning and driving it.

This was just two weeks after Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles observed joint military drills in Zambales, Philippines. Standing on a beach, Marles confirmed that joint maritime patrols in the heavily contested South China Sea would begin soon – reportedly in a matter of months.