Carney says Canada, Australia hold ‘unusual collective power’ in Parliament speech – National
Canada and Australia have a “rare” ability to help forge a middle-class alliance because their allies know they can be trusted, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a speech to the Australian Parliament on Thursday.
Carney’s words were made in a speech that made headlines in January at the World Economic Forum, where he said that the old world order was broken and asked the middle countries to unite in order to stop the hegemons from dictating how the world will work.
“In a post-conflict world, nations that are trusted and can work together will be quicker to come together, be more effective in their responses and participate in shaping outcomes, and ultimately those nations will be more secure and prosperous,” he said in Australia on Thursday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech to parliament in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, March 5, 2026.
CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN/Adrian Wyld
“Middle countries like Australia and Canada hold this extraordinary mandate. Because others know we mean what we say and we will match our values with our actions. Canada and Australia have earned this trust throughout our history. The question now is what we do with it.”
Carney did not mention the growing conflict in the Middle East in his speech to the Australian Parliament.
During his speech, Carney said Canada and Australia have signed a series of new agreements on precious minerals, including Australia joining the G7 alliance on precious minerals.
The prime minister also spoke about the country’s plan to modernize its tax and investment treaty.
“The world will always be driven by great forces,” said Carney. “But also a middle power can be formed that trusts enough and acts with speed and purpose.”
Earlier in the day, Carney met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and participated in a reception at Parliament House.
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During a meeting with cabinet members, Albanese said the two countries share common values and interests. Like the central countries, he said there were discussions on how to cooperate in defense, economy and environment.
“We are both affected by climate change, and one of the ways we help each other is for your firefighters to help us and our firefighters to help you,” said Albanese.
“We have a lot to learn from each other, a lot to gain from cooperation,” he said.
Carney took time before his speech to recognize the Australian firefighters in the Australian room, who helped fight the Alberta wildfires last summer.
In his words at the meeting with the Albanians, Carney said that some of the discussions that the leaders have had and some of the agreements that the governments plan to sign show the progress that they started at the G7 summit last year.
“We look forward to learning from you, cooperation in those areas, cooperation in other important areas such as minerals, and financial services,” said Carney.
Carney’s Australian tour began Wednesday in Sydney, where he gave a speech and took questions at the Lowy Institute think tank, including one about what his “game plan” is for managing his relationship with US President Donald Trump.
Carney laughed before discussing what he called the importance of “respect but not arrogance.”
“He’s president for a reason. He’s had success in other areas,” Carney said, calling Trump “the most successful politician” ever elected.
Carney later added that, in private, Trump is more open-minded than he appears and is interested in hearing different points of view. The prime minister said “it creates the ability to use things.”
“But it’s not easy, to clarify,” he added.
“What I find is that he appreciates, especially in private, speaking directly and discussing issues and clarifying where you stand. That’s important.”
Carney said Canada and Australia are both rich in valuable minerals and are working together to build “the largest mineral deposit held by any honest democracy.”
Canada and Australia could collaborate on more defense initiatives, such as those involving AI and aerospace, he said.
“Right now, when we spend a lot of money on defense, 70 cents of that dollar goes to the United States,” he said.
Ottawa and Canberra signed an agreement last year for Canada to buy an Australian radar system for use in the Arctic.
The two countries are working to build a link between the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, and the European Union, which Carney says will create a new trading bloc for 1.5 billion people.
The CPTPP is a major Pacific Rim trade agreement that includes Australia. Canada is a member of the CPTPP and has a trade agreement with the EU.
Before Wednesday’s speech, Carney held meetings with business leaders, including Simon Trott of global mining giant Rio Tinto and Jack Cowin, CEO of fast food company Competitive Foods.
He also met with heads of investment funds, including Raphael Arndt, CEO of the Future Fund, Shemara Wikramanayake, CEO of the Macquarie Group, and Kate Galvin, CEO of the Victorian Funds Management Corporation.
Carney visited India before arriving in Australia and will head to Japan for the third and final stop on his 10-day tour.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 4, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
