Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for stronger collaboration within the Quad, a framework for security cooperation between Japan, the United States, Australia, and India. In a speech delivered in Tokyo on Thursday at a lecture meeting organized by the Yomiuri International Economic Society (YIES), Morrison emphasized the importance of the Quad as a deterrent against authoritarian countries like China and Russia.
Morrison highlighted that the regular engagement and real-time collective assessment provided by the Quad leaders’ dialogue holds inherent value in addressing regional security and economic challenges. He specifically mentioned Sri Lanka and Cambodia as examples where China is promoting investment, urging greater coordination among Quad countries to either contest economically or risk surrendering ground to rivals.
During a discussion with YIES Chairman Shigeru Kitamura, former secretary general of the National Security Secretariat, Morrison expressed his belief that Japan has the ability to direct and safeguard the integrity of the Quad. He also expressed hope for Japan’s continued outreach and leadership in shaping global affairs in the Indo-Pacific region.
Scott Morrison served as Australia’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and adopted a firm stance towards China throughout his tenure.
