AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES IN SINGAPORE (Withdrawal)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Singapore Government has been consulted on the Australian Government's intention to withdraw its military forces stationed in this region under the ANZUK arrangement; what is the view of the Government in relation to the statements by the Australian Government over this question; and whether by the withdrawal of the Australian military forces the security and stability of this region will be affected in any way.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr S. Rajaratnam): Mr Speaker, Sir, there were discussions between the Singapore and the Australian Governments prior to the recent announcement by the Australian Government of its decision to withdraw by the end of February next year all but 600 Australian troops based in Singapore. However, by April 1975 all but 150 of these 600 men would be withdrawn. The decision by the Australian Government has been as expected. The Australian Government has said that after April 1975 the remaining 150 men would help to facilitate programmes of combined exercises and to support those engaged in such projects.

The Australian decision will affect the present Five-Power Defence Arrangements, hut the usefulness of the defence arrangements remains because of the contributions which the other partners will continue to make. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, in a statement on 4th July, has reiterated that there is no question of New Zealand forces being withdrawn as long as Singapore wants them. The United Kingdom similarly will continue to maintain forces at their present level. This being the case, the Singapore Government is of the view that the Five-Power Defence Arrangements can make useful contributions towards peace and stability in the area.