Australia & UK Collaborative

Australia and UK collaborative partnership

Australia and the UK have entered a cyber and critical technology partnership on the eve of landmark talks.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne and UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss signed the partnership when they met in Sydney on 20th January, agreeing to maintain an open, free and peaceful internet.

The new agreement will deliver a co-ordinated cyber sanctions regime, and a commitment to work with countries in the Indo-Pacific on cyber capabilities. "An open, safe and secure cyberspace, and technologies that work for people, not against them, is key to our combined future," Senator Payne said.

She said it would impose greater costs on "malign actors who would undermine the region's prosperity and security for their own ends".

Defence Minister Peter Dutton and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met Thursday evening, before all four ministers came together as part of the bilateral AUKMIN talks on Friday 21st January.

It will be the first 2+2 ministerial meeting hosted in Australia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two British secretaries also met with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Kirribilli House on Thursday night.

Mr Dutton said while some may underestimate the value, strength and depth of the Australia-UK relationship, Britain continues to have one eye on the Pacific region amid increasing instability. "(The UK) are an important partner for us as a smaller country with only 25 million people. If we are going to deter countries from aggressive behaviour then we are best to do that with strong friends and allies," he told 2GB radio.

Discussions will span ways to bolster co-operation in defence capability, cyber security and critical technology, while the promotion of human rights and gender equality will also be on the agenda. "It is really about our working together, our close collaboration, the work we are doing on the nuclear submarine program," Mr Dutton said. "There is (also) a big focus on cyber. Both Australia and the UK get regular attacks from Russia and China and Iran so there is a lot of scope for discussion about how we can ... stop that activity and fight back against it."

The executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said he would be looking for indications of more joint military exercises, cooperation on technology like nuclear propulsion, and the possibility of a British ship operating out of an Australian port.

Peter Jennings says it is possible Britain wanted a more permanent presence in the region given an increasingly aggressive China. "The consequential European countries understand one of the big strategic problems they face is China," he told Sky News.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne has signed a cybersecurity pact with her British counterpart Liz Truss

"They think it is important to have more military presence in this area."

Mr Jennings said the actions of China - including its increasing military build up and exercises staging amphibious assaults on islands - point to increasing hostility towards Taiwan. "The more we can do to persuade China that it is too dangerous and it is not a sensible thing for them to be contemplating the better the chances we can keep the peace," he said.

Dominic Giannini

We are your forever bank.

For all life stages, in and out of the Australian Defence Force, you can count on us.

Join us today.

Final Homesites Sell at Potter’s Lane for Raymond Terrace Record!

McCloy Group’s Potter’s Lane located off Rees James Road in Raymond Terrace has now sold out, with a homesite in the final stage fetching a local land record of $390,000. The boutique community was the first of its kind in the area and paid a humble nod to the history of the site throughout its 5-year development

First launching in July 2016, Potter’s Lane found its name from the first settler of the region, James King, who became well known for the beautiful pottery he produced on the land. Complements to this history are well paid throughout the new community with statement public art and pottery sculptures included at key entries and shared community facilities.

Potter’s Lane quickly became quickly known for its impressive park and playground facilities, above average block sizes and as an affordable land offering within Port Stephens.

“It has been great to see so many young families enter the property market and build their family homes at Potter’s Lane. The housing options here are affordable and residents have enjoyed the location, giving the community the ability to live close to work opportunities without the added complexity that comes with living in the larger CBD areas” commented James Goode, Development Director.

When speaking with the Moxey family, the Joint Venture partners in the project, Mrs Moxey shared her positive sentiments on the experience.

“From my first meeting with the team at McCloy Group I found them to be thorough, well explained and very experienced in development. One element I am extremely pleased with was their consideration in retaining elements of the land that were significant to its past. I would highly recommend anyone who’s looking to develop a parcel of land to be in touch with the team at McCloy Group.”

Now complete, the McCloy Group have shared thanks to residents both old and new and the wider community which had so warmly welcomed Potter’s Lane.

“Being able to bring this new housing opportunity to Port Stephens alongside the Moxey family has been a positive and rewarding experience. Credit should also be paid to the residents for the quality homes built here, which all contributed to the excellent reputation of Potter’s Lane in the area” noted Mr Goode.

If you are still in the market for land for your dream home, the McCloy Group remain active in the Region, with sister sites The Bower and The Gardens making progress at Medowie. For more information on these new projects visit thebowermedowie.com. au and thegardensmedowie.com.au