“Speaking to the media at the Australian Embassy’s Annual Journalists’ Reception, Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Marc Innes-Brown, honored Filipino journalists for connecting people and illuminating the truth. He emphasized that fearless reporting and quality journalism are essential for upholding democracy and strengthening ties between nations. In a world flooded with disinformation, Philippine journalists play a vital role in safeguarding freedom of speech and sharing the story of the Australia–Philippines partnership.”
(Australian Embassy in the Philippine media release)
The Annual Journalists’ Reception is a yearly gathering hosted by the Australian Embassy where members of the press are invited to have a dialogue with the Ambassador and other foreign dignitaries and officers in the Embassy. This year’s Annual Journalists’ Reception was held on December 4, 2025. In the past, the event took place during summer or mid-year but having it during the holiday season made this gathering extra special and festive.
The Ambassador commended Filipino journalists for their professionalism and determination to strive for truthful journalism. He also emphasized the important role of media in protecting freedom of speech and strengthening partnership between Australia and the Philippines.
He said, “Fearless reporting and quality journalism are essential voices in illuminating the truth and strengthening ties between nations.”
He also described journalists as trusted storytellers who bring together communities and help strengthen the Australia-Philippines relationship.
Strategic Partnership
Australia and the Philippines have a strong Development Partnership spanning over 50 years with a focus on fostering a more stable, prosperous and resilient Philippines.
For Economic Growth, since 2016, Australia has invested P183 million to support enterprises owned and led by women and has also mobilized an additional P607 million for 34 of such enterprise.
To address poverty and inequality, since 2008, Australia’s P1.6 billion support helped establish and strengthen the Philippines’ cash transfer program for the poor, improving beneficiary targeting and monitoring.
Regarding climate change, since 2006, Australia has responded to 41 major natural disasters, providing P4.6 billion in emergency relief supplies benefitting nearly 10 million Filipinos.
In Civil Maritime, Australia has committed P328 million to support the Philippine Government in protecting its seas and strengthening civil maritime capacity through coral reef restoration, policy and legal reform, marine plastic reduction, and oil spill response and preparedness.
In Trade and Investment, as Strategic Partners, Australia and the Philippines are bolstering our shared economic prosperity by expanding two-way trade investment. “Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040” identified education and skills, agriculture and food, resources and the green energy transition as priority sectors in the Philippines.
Resource – Over 20 Australian mining equipment, technology, and services companies support Philippine mining operations. In March 2024, Australian company Celsius Resources secured one of the first Philippine copper-gold mining permits in 15 years and is being supported by a P4.37B (USD76.4M) bridge loan facility from the Philippines’ sovereign wealth fund.
Green Energy Transition – Australian and Philippine companies are investing heavily in each other’s renewable energy sectors. Blueleaf Energy, a portfolio company of Macquarie Capital, was awarded the first 1.25GW floating solar project on Laguna Lake.
Since 2018, Ayala-led ACEN Corporation has developed 1GW of renewable energy projects in Australia, with a further 13GW of projects in the pipeline—investing over AUD1.6B (P58.6B).
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The Ambassador also highlighted the long-standing collaboration in law enforcement as part of Australia’s broader commitment to advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
The Australian Ambassador said that 2026 will mark the 80th anniversary of Australia-Philippines diplomatic relations, coinciding with the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship. He stated that Australia stands ready to support the Philippines’ priorities as ASEAN chair, reaffirming that the bilateral relationship is founded on trust, cooperation, and long-term commitment.
Looking back on the warm reception he received when he first arrived in Manila, Ambassador Innes-Brown said he remains impressed by the deep appreciation for Australia’s contributions and the increasing momentum in bilateral relations.
He ended his speech by thanking Filipino journalists for their steadfast dedication.
“Your work is indispensable. You highlight the meaningful work taking place between our two countries, and we look forward to working with you as we mark eight decades of diplomatic relations and strive toward an even stronger future together.”
Other representatives of the Australian Embassy who were present at the Reception are Ms. Hazel Aniceto (Country Manager of Australian Center for International Agricultural Research), Ms. Johanna Stratton (Counsellor, Political and Public Diplomacy), Mr. Peter Adams (Counsellor, Development), Inspector Joeline Arentz (First Secretary, Australian Border Force), Mr. Brad Marden (Counsellor, Australian Federal Police), and Captain Emma McDonald-Keer (former Defence Attaché, Royal Australian Navy), Mr. Luke Villiers (Counsellor-Economic), and Ms. Luisa Rust (Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Minister-Counsellor-Commercial).
Captain Emma McDonald-Kerr (former Defence Attaché, Royal Australian Navy)
Thank you, Captain Emma
Australia and the Philippines are Strategic Partners, working together to promote a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. This is where the role of a Defence Attaché is essential.
For the past two years, Captain Emma McDonald-Keer was assigned in the Philippines as the Defence Attaché from the Royal Australian Navy. Her presence at the Journalist Reception was a great opportunity to meet her before her departure back to Australia in January 2026. In her speech, she shared her fond memories working here in the Philippines. Throughout her term, she worked to strengthen the bilateral defense relationship, including initiatives like Exercise ALON.
On December 17, 2025, Captain McDonald-Kerr was honored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for her service. She concluded her tenure as the Defence Attaché of Australia to the Philippines with an exit courtesy call on December 17, 2025, and a final meeting with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on January 6, 2026.
During the engagement, Captain McDonald-Kerr expressed her appreciation to the leadership of PAF and for their support during her tour of duty, emphasizing their achievements through sustained military engagement, capacity-building initiatives, and defense diplomacy.
She was succeeded by Colonel Travis Day in early January 2026.
Mr. Brad Marden (Counsellor, Australian Federal Police)
Jack Changes the Game
The Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) is a specialized, multi-agency initiative established in February 2019 to combat the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in the Philippines. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is a founding member of this task force, working in close collaboration with Philippine authorities and international partners to protect children.
Mr. Brad Marden (Counsellor, Australian Federal Police) reported, "Since its inception in February 2019, and as of last week, the PICACC has undertaken a total of 318 operations which has resulted in the rescue of 847 victims and 183 suspects/facilitators charged.”
“We have also worked together in the prevention space educating children and their families. Earlier this year we worked with local authorities to translate an Australian cyber safety book ‘Jack Changes the Game’--local title "Cyber Smart Kids are Cyber Safe".
The book’s objective is to start conversations about being safe online. Designed for ages five through eight, the book gives age-appropriate advice about online grooming, how to recognize the signs that someone online might not be who they say they are, and includes information on how parents can act if something goes wrong.
The book is distributed by the Australian Federal Police and Australian Center to Counter Child Exploitation.
To download the book for free –
Cyber Smart Kids are Cyber Safe (“Mga Batang Cyber Smart ay Cyber Safe”) https://www.accce.gov.au/resources/parents-carers/cyber-smart-kids-are-cyber-safe
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Photo credit: Marcelle P. Villegas
