Australia and Singapore have signed a new Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies under the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), strengthening cooperation on energy security, critical supply chains and trade.
The agreement delivers on a commitment made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in April 2026 to safeguard essential supplies and maintain trade flows during periods of disruption.
Singapore is Australia’s largest fuel supplier, providing 55% of its petrol, 15% of its diesel and 23% of its aviation fuel. With Australia importing around 90% of its fuel requirements, the new agreement is intended to strengthen both countries’ economic resilience.
The protocol also establishes the Australia-Singapore Economic Resilience Dialogue, creating a formal mechanism for the two countries to coordinate on supply chain resilience and other shared economic challenges.
The protocol was signed on 27 July during the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) meeting in Adelaide by deputy prime minister and minister for defence Richard Marles, minister for foreign affairs Penny Wong and minister for trade and tourism Don Farrell.
Penny Wong, Australia’s minister for foreign affairs, said: “Australia and Singapore have built one of the region’s closest and most trusted partnerships, underpinned by practical cooperation across trade, defence, energy security and economic resilience.
“At a time of increasing global uncertainty, the Protocol will help ensure Australia and Singapore can respond together to disruptions and maintain access to the supplies our economies depend on.”
Farrell added: “The signing of this Protocol is an important step to ensure Australia has what it needs to keep moving in the face of global supply chain disruptions.
“The Protocol builds on the success of our free trade agreement and reinforces both countries’ support for open, free and fair trade.”
The SAFTA entered into force on 28 July 2003 and has been regularly updated with amendments.
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