Ohayo gozaimasu.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you to the hosts and organisers for the kind invitation to speak today.

I start by acknowledging the recent election of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. It is a significant moment for Japan, and Australia wishes the Prime Minister and her government well.

It’s wonderful to return to Japan in this year where Japan and Australia are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, sometimes known informally as the Nara treaty.

It is a very significant celebration for our two nations.

Meeting as we are today, it’s worth highlighting that the Treaty was born in the late 1970s against the backdrop of a previous period of geopolitical instability in the Middle East and an acute global energy crisis.

Japan and Australia recognised our economic interdependence and resolved to build a partnership grounded in mutual trust and reliability.

Today our governments are working closely together to lay the foundations for another 50 years of prosperity and economic security.

I’m personally delighted to be back in Tokyo. It is a great world city, much of it built through the longstanding relationship between Japan and Australia in the trade of iron ore, coal and LNG. 

Given current events in the Middle East, this forum takes on new importance and urgency.

My message today is clear.

Australia remains a trusted, long-term and most importantly, stable energy and resources partner with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

We are resolutely committed to supplying the energy that Japan, Korea and the entire region needs to provide global economic stability and security.  

The vulnerabilities of global energy supply chains have been exposed by the current conflict in the Middle East. 

Australia by contrast has remained a trusted and reliable supplier of energy for well over half a century.

This steady and dependable supply of Australian energy has been central to the peace and prosperity this region has enjoyed for so long. 

Here in Japan, Australian energy powers this nation for around 8 hours a day, every day.

Australia has never missed an LNG shipment to Japan.

That’s what I call reliable.

But in order to continue to supply that reliable energy, Australia needs continued foreign investment. 

Reliable investment from Japan and other nations represented here at the Forum built Australia’s resources industry and these partnerships are more important now than ever.

I’d like to take a few moments to explain the policy of the Australian Government in relation to our domestic gas supplies and how that interacts with our export commitments. 

Ensuring long-term energy security for Australia is a priority of our Government. It is a priority of every government here today to ensure their country’s energy needs are met. 

Australia is also taking very seriously its responsibility to ensure regional security and stability through supporting energy supplies to our regional neighbours. 

Australia has abundant supplies of gas and gas producers continue to supply gas to the domestic market, despite the external shocks caused by the Middle East conflict. 

And just as every country here seeks to ensure its own domestic energy security, Australia must do the same. 

Accordingly, the Australian Government is implementing policies to ensure our internal demands are met.

But let me be clear. Australia will not do anything that harms investment or alters existing contracts, or which jeopardises the energy security of other nations in the region.

We acknowledge the development of our LNG industry – which is also a critical internal supplier of gas – could not have happened without the support of the great nations in this room.

CRITICAL MINERALS AND RARE EARTHS

Just as Australian energy has been vital to the long-term security and prosperity of this region, our critical minerals and rare earths will be equally important. 

These minerals and rare earths are not only key inputs to batteries and other technology needed to reduce emissions, they are vital for defence industries. 

Vital for example to the technology being used right now in the Middle East to protect civilians from drones and missiles.

Just as Australia has become a dependable and reliable supplier of energy, Australia is uniquely placed to be a long-term reliable supplier of critical minerals and rare earths.

We have the natural geology, we have the most advanced extractive resources sector in the world, and as I say, we have an unrivalled track record as a reliable and stable supplier of resources. 

By working together and jointly investing in our industries, particularly in processing capabilities, we can lock in a reliable supply of critical minerals and rare earth products. 

A great illustration of this point is Australian mining company Lynas Rare Earths.

In response to export bans on rare earths, Japan invested in Lynas and now has supported Lynas for more than a decade.

That patient and trusted capital that began in 2012 has now transformed Lynas into the biggest producer of rare earths outside China.

The payoff for this investment is stability of supply. 

The recent announcement of a floor price for the offtake of processed rare earths between Lynas and JARE sets this alternative supply chain up for the future.

Another example is the successful delivery of the trilateral investment in the Alcoa-Sojitz Gallium Project. 

Australia, Japan and the United States worked together to develop a solution to China banning the export of gallium and in 2025 formally announced the start of this project.

Encouraging and nurturing more collaborative investments of this nature is essential.

The Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy will encourage further investment in critical minerals and rare earths.

Australia has committed to establish a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, through which we can deal with trade and market disruptions from a position of strength.

Of course, many of the major commodities Australia produces will continue to be in demand as countries transition toward their net-zero goals.

Australia represents over 50% of global iron ore exports and is currently the only supplier that can fulfill the demand of our trading partners for iron ore at scale. 

Our trading partners have indicated they will continue to require both thermal and metallurgical coal well into the future. 

We all have strengths that complement one another. That is why we must work together. 

Our resources and energy relationships have laid a strong foundation, but now is the time to build on that foundation for a brighter and more prosperous future. 

Thank you again for your attention and enjoy the rest of today’s program.

Arigato gozaimasu.