Canberra has hosted the first official visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in nearly two decades, with leaders from both countries outlining a broad agenda to strengthen trade, defence, and strategic cooperation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed Carney to Parliament House on Thursday, noting the historic partnership between Australia and Canada and their shared values of parliamentary democracy, multiculturalism, and respect for First Nations peoples.
“Canada is one of Australia’s closest and long-standing partners,” Albanese said, highlighting collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, clean energy, economic security, and defence.
During the talks, the leaders identified several key areas for expanded cooperation, including energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and defence technology. They confirmed the establishment of new ministerial-level economic talks to strengthen investment, regulatory alignment, and economic security, as well as a commitment to modernising the Canada-Australia Tax Treaty.
Carney emphasised the importance of institutional and financial collaboration, citing growing partnerships between Canadian pension funds and Australian superannuation funds, with potential investments reaching up to $1 trillion over the next five years. “Two sovereign nations, two proud democracies,” he said.
“We are at our very best when we look over our wide horizons, and we find a partner who shares our history, values, and ambitions to build.”
The leaders also announced a new Australia-Canada Clean Energy Partnership to advance trade and investment in renewable technologies, modernise electricity grids, and develop sustainable supply chains, as well as an enhanced collaboration on artificial intelligence through respective national AI Safety Institutes. A trilateral memorandum with India on technology and innovation was also codified, building on the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership.
Defence and security cooperation will be strengthened through a biennial Defence Ministers’ Meeting, enhanced senior officials’ dialogues, and joint development of radar technology combining Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network with Canadian Arctic radar systems. Both countries agreed to deepen intelligence sharing, joint military training, and interoperability, including discussions on a potential Status of Forces Agreement.
The visit also acknowledged the longstanding contributions of Canadian and Australian firefighters, particularly during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, with Albanese thanking personnel who recently assisted in Canada. Civil space and polar science cooperation were highlighted as areas for further collaboration, alongside disaster preparedness, pandemic readiness, and emergency management.
Prime Ministers Carney and Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and signalled continued high-level engagement to advance shared strategic, economic, and security objectives.
“The world wants to see de-escalation in conflict zones, and both our countries are committed to promoting stability and security,” Albanese said, addressing questions on the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Carney added that Canada would continue to defend its citizens and stand by allies, while seeking broader de-escalation before any ceasefire could be negotiated.
The visit marks a significant step in consolidating Australia and Canada’s partnership, reflecting their shared interests as middle powers navigating a complex and shifting global landscape.
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