Your Excellency Minister Numberi.

Distinguished guests.

I am here today to speak to you about our shared relationship on maritime security, and, in particular, thank you for your efforts so far on the Indonesia-Australia Maritime Security project (IAMS).

The security of international shipping is critical to the social and economic prosperity of our region.

Australia and Indonesia share a strong and cooperative relationship on transport security and safety. This is important in the current environment, which includes the risk of terrorist attack on our globalised transportation systems.

Currently, the Australian Government is working closely with the Indonesian Government on a range of transport security activities. These projects are designed to assist in the international fight against terrorism.

Australia has a world-class security regime but we need to remain vigilant to new and emerging threats.

Part of that vigilance means working with our friends and allies on transport security.

Australia and Indonesia have been working together on transport security matters of mutual interest since 2005.

We have also cooperated on transport safety under the Indonesia Transport Safety Assistance Package since 2007. This program provides funding to enhance the capacity of Indonesian transport agencies to improve safety outcomes.

Over the past five years, we have worked closely to develop a strong bilateral relationship.

My Department-the Department of Infrastructure and Transport-has officers, in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, dedicated to fostering strong relationships with Indonesia on transport security.

These officers have been working with the Indonesian Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) on the IAMS project, since August 2009.

The project seeks to help Indonesia develop appropriate and robust maritime security frameworks, which meet international standards, including those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

This $878,000 project, funded by AusAID, has enabled us to provide port security training opportunities to a variety of Indonesian port officials, introducing them to maritime security auditing and 'whole of port' security planning principles.

Fourteen workshops and three high level briefings have been delivered to around 500 participants, representing 139 separate ports, at four major Indonesian maritime locations: Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya and Makassar.

Given the success of the project to date, additional activities will be delivered in Semarang during 2011, to further assist DGST gain ownership of the 'whole of port' security concept.

Today is a great opportunity for Australia and Indonesia to recognise our shared efforts in developing a framework for the implementation of whole-of-port security in Indonesia.

The recommendations draw on experiences gained to date in working with you on maritime security, and our own experience in implementing this concept in Australia.

The security of our transport systems is a core business, and on behalf of the Australian Government, I'd like to thank the Indonesian Government for your co-operation on maritime security.

The Australian Government knows we are not in this alone.

We are neighbours, friends and collaborators in a busy and dynamic region of the world. This can't be stressed enough.

I would like to thank you for hosting me today, and for your continued vigilance and co-operation.