- Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence
- Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Australia and Singapore have signed a new Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies under the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, strengthening cooperation on energy security, critical supply chains and trade.
The Agreement delivers on the commitment made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on 10 April 2026 to bolster the security of essential supplies, including petrol, and to keep trade flowing during periods of disruption.
Singapore is Australia's largest fuel supplier, providing 55 per cent of Australia's petrol, 15 per cent of its diesel and 23 per cent of its aviation fuel. With Australia importing around 90 per cent of its fuel needs, the agreement will support both countries' economic resilience.
The Protocol also establishes the Australia-Singapore Economic Resilience Dialogue, creating a dedicated mechanism to advance practical cooperation on shared challenges.
The Agreement was signed at the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) hosted in Adelaide today by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell.
Marking 30 years of cooperation, the SAJMC was first established in 1996 by then Prime Ministers Keating and Goh Chok Tong. Today's discussions demonstrate the tangible value of Australia's relationship with Singapore, a trusted regional partner with whom we work closely to advance our shared prosperity and security.
The SAJMC follows a series of high-level engagements in recent months, including the conclusion of negotiations on the Protocol by Minister Wong and Minister Farrell in April, and the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in May attended by the Deputy Prime Minister Marles.
Today, Ministers also agreed to further enhance our defence ties, witnessing the signing of the Australia-Singapore Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement.
This agreement builds on the enhanced Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation announced in October 2025, by strengthening cooperation between our defence industries and improving the resilience of our supply chains.
More information on the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Quote attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles:
“Australia’s long-standing friendship and partnership with Singapore is underscored by a deep strategic trust.”
“Our militaries have a long history of working together in our region, in support of the security and resilience of the Indo-Pacific.”
“Today we are growing our already strong defence partnership even further by strengthening cooperation between our defence forces and our defence industries.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:
“Australia and Singapore have built one of the region's closest and most trusted partnerships, underpinned by practical cooperation across trade, defence, energy security and economic resilience.”
“At a time of increasing global uncertainty, the Protocol will help ensure Australia and Singapore can respond together to disruptions and maintain access to the supplies our economies depend on.”
“Australia and Singapore's prosperity and security are closely linked. Together, we remain committed to strengthening the rules and institutions that support an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell:
“Singapore is one of Australia's closest trade and investment partners.”
“The signing of this Protocol is an important step to ensure Australia has what it needs to keep moving in the face of global supply chain disruptions.”
“The Protocol builds on the success of our free trade agreement and reinforces both countries' support for open, free and fair trade.”