Doorstop - Kuala Lumpur

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I've just had the enormous pleasure of meeting young people from throughout the ASEAN region who are receiving support with the Australian Leaders Dialogue Program that we have with ASEAN, bringing together people from all of the countries of ASEAN to engage with each other, and importantly, as well, to engage with Australia. They visited Parliament House just a few weeks ago, and I got to see them there when they were walking around Parliament and engaging in Canberra.

Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN

Australia warmly congratulates Timor-Leste on its accession as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the occasion with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and ASEAN leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

This is an important milestone for ASEAN and a significant step for Timor-Leste’s regional integration and economic development. It is a credit to both ASEAN’s and Timor Leste’s sustained efforts over many years.

Press conference - Kuala Lumpur

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Well, it's been a big 24 hours. A day ago, some of you were with me at Uluru in Central Australia. And now here we are in Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, including of course, the East Asia Summit that will be conducted this afternoon. Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. And one of the things that I spoke about this morning was that Australia used to speak about the tyranny of distance from our markets in the United Kingdom, in the United States and in Europe.

Backing Australian companies to expand into Southeast Asia

The Albanese Government has today announced two milestone investments to boost Australia’s economic engagement with Southeast Asia, supporting new opportunities for Australian investors and businesses.

The Government will invest AUD$175 million in IFM Investors’ Asia-Pacific Debt Fund and USD$50 million in a new Southeast Asia Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment fund established by Australian infrastructure specialist Plenary.

Doorstop - Kuala Lumpur

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's wonderful to be here in Malaysia and to receive such a very warm welcome. We are now in the fastest growing region in the world in human history. What that represents is opportunities for economic growth in Australia, creation of jobs in Australia, as well as a more peaceful and secure region. And that certainly is my priority over coming days in meetings I'll have here in Malaysia, and then following that in APEC, which is of course, an Australian creation, when it meets in Korea.

Television interview - Weekend Today

CLINT STANAWAY, HOST: Busy scribbling notes during that segment was the Prime Minister of Australia. He's going to be no doubt baking a cake or two for Halloween. I'm pleased to say.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI, HOST: A bit busy.

PIOTROWSKI: He joins us now from Uluru. PM, what a strange segue, but good morning to you. I hope you got some tips and tricks for Halloween from that.

Visit to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea for ASEAN-led summits and APEC

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for ASEAN and Gyeongju in the Republic of Korea for APEC from 26 October to 1 November 2025.

During the visit, Prime Minister Albanese will attend the 20th East Asia Summit, the 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 36th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

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