“We stand in solidarity with the French people in condemning these horrific and devastating attacks”.
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has spoken to an Australian teenager injured in the deadly Paris attacks, describing her as courageous and in good spirits.
Ms Bishop addressed Australian media on Saturday morning as word broke from the French capital that up to 140 may have been killed in six separate attacks involving gunfire and explosives.
The U.S. leader said they had an “excellent” discussion around the importance of maintaining freedom in navigation, in light of China’s claims over ownership of reefs and islands in the South China Sea.
The government has not ruled out an expansion of Australia’s role in the conflict which is now limited to airstrikes against IS targets in Syria and Iraq and the training of Iraqi troops.
President Obama also emphasised the Muslim community should be brought in to security discussions, saying both Australia and the USA needed to “reach out to our own people”.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop believes ISIL will seek to repeat the attacks in Paris and Australian intelligence agencies were reviewing their protocols to ensure any attempt at an attack on Australian soil would be foiled.
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has paid tribute to France, vowing that free societies “will not be cowed by terrorism, no matter how shocking”.
Australia is not rushing into any decision about committing more resources.
One Australian was near the attacks and contacted the government’s emergency consular line.
Australia has offered all assistance to France, she said.
“Today I feel that India and Australia are very close friends and we are forging ahead as strategic partners”, Modi said.
Ms Bishop, who will join Mr Turnbull at the meeting with President Obama, told AAP in Manila the key topic would be forging a “single coalition” involving Russian Federation to defeat Daesh.
Turnbull says Australia will continue “shoulder to shoulder” with the U.S.in the mission.
Mr Turnbull met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi where they discussed the free trade agreement which Australia wants concluded by the end of the year.
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Nikolic is concerned by suggestions that the Paris terrorists may have hidden as humanitarian arrivals and he’s been backed by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who in Monday said, “The Minister for Border Protection is, in my judgment, a significant part of our national security machinery”.
