Defence: Malacca Straits

Mr Beazley asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 29 November 2004:

1. Has the Minister seen reports that Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have commenced naval patrols in the Malacca Straits.
2. Does the agreement between these three nations extend to patrolling other waterways in the Southeast Asian archipelago.
3. Has Australia sought involvement with these patrols.
4. Has Australia been consulted by the three nations or any one of them on providing intelligence, training or assets to assist the patrols.
5. How many attacks on shipping have been identified in the Southeast Asian archipelago in each of the last five years.
6. Where in the archipelago have the attacks taken place.
7. Which of the attacks have been linked to political groups with a terrorist background such as Abu Sayaf.
8. Has the United States of America sought Australia's participation in counter-piracy patrolling or support for local efforts; if so, in what way.

Mrs Kelly - The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

1. Yes.
2. The Trilateral Co-ordinated Patrols Malacca Straits agreement between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore has not been released.
3. No.
4. No.
5. , (6) and (7) Information relating to these questions can be found on the International Maritime Organisation website at http://www.imo.org/home.asp and the International Maritime Bureau website at http://www.icc-ccs.org/imb/overview.php. (Both URLS are now obsolete.)
8. No.

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