Australia has announced a $124 million package to support security, climate and health efforts in southeast Asia, as the prime minister defended a new pact with the US and UK.
Scott Morrison on Wednesday took part in an online summit with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Australia is seeking ASEAN's agreement to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", which Mr Morrison said would be "backed with substance".
He announced an Australia-ASEAN futures initiative which would provide $124 million for projects in the areas of COVID-19 recovery, counter-terrorism, transnational crime, energy security, low emissions technology, recycling and healthy oceans.
Mr Morrison told the leaders Australia had already shared four million COVID-19 vaccine doses with the region and expected to share an extra 10 million from Australia's domestic supply by mid-2022.
He said the growth and health of ASEAN nations underpinned regional stability and Australia's prosperity.
The prime minister used the forum to explain Australia's new AUKUS agreement with the US and UK, saying it was an "enhanced capability and technology-sharing partnership".
The key plank of the partnership so far is Australia's development of a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, which will be conventionally armed.
"AUKUS does not change Australia's commitment to ASEAN or the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific - indeed it reinforces it," Mr Morrison said
"AUKUS adds to our network of partnerships that support regional stability and security."
He said Australia had no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons and remained deeply committed to nuclear non-proliferation.
Australian Associated Press
