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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MONIQUE WRIGHT, HOST: Well, the Prime Minister is today in Uluru for a very important milestone. And we welcome Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Weekend Sunrise. Good morning to you, PM.

DAVID WOIWOOD, HOST: Good morning, PM.

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.

I begin by acknowledging the Anangu, the Traditional Owners of the extraordinary land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to your Elders, past and present.

Ngayulu-na  pukul-pa  kuwari  Anangu-ku  mantangka  tjunguringkula  ngaranyi.

[Translation: I am happy to be together (with you) on Anangu land]

MARION SCRYMGOUR, SPECIAL ENVOY FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES: It's fantastic to be here, and to be here particularly with the Prime Minister. This isn't the first time we've been here. The Prime Minister and I were here during the referendum and sitting on country with Anangu women and talking about the importance, and just how important law and history and culture is for Anangu in this country.

Tomorrow marks the 40-year anniversary of the return of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park to Anangu, its Traditional Owners.

The Handback is a significant milestone for Anangu and in the history of Australian Indigenous land rights, ending decades of lobbying by Traditional Owners to have their rights recognised.

The then-Prime Minister, Bob Hawke announced in November 1983 that the government would amend the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and return the title for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to its Traditional Owners.