Labor to work with Japan on regional stability

Australia's Opposition Labor Party has pledged that if it wins the upcoming general election, it would propose Australia and Japan work closer together on the issues of climate change and regional peace-building.
Speaking at an Australia-Japan Business Association conference, Labor's foreign affairs spokesman Robert McClelland said his party would improve co-operation between the two countries.

After praising Japan for its climate change stewardship, Mr McClelland said Japan had provided a shining example in the large role it has played in the development of peace-building institutions.
Mr McClelland also promised that Labor would use Australia's next trilateral dialogue with Japan and the US to propose commissioning a joint assessment on the potential effects of climate change on regional security.
"We believe that in further strengthening our modern friendship Australia should join Japan for the heavy lifting on what will be the key to creating long-term stability, democracy and growth," Mr McClelland said.