Singaporean PM tests positive to Covid-19 hours before Anthony Albanese’s trip

Anthony Albanese is about to fly overseas to attend a crucial summit, but he’s had to change some of his plans after an unexpected announcement.

Anthony Albanese is about to fly to Singapore to deliver an important speech at an international summit despite the leader of the Asian country testing positive to Covid-19.

The Prime Minister will leave on Thursday afternoon for a two-day trip to Singapore where he will deliver the keynote address at the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue.

He was due to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the annual bilateral discussion held between the leaders of Australia and Singapore.

Mr Lee posted on Twitter earlier on Thursday to announce he had tested positive to Covid-19.

“I feel fine but I am afraid I have turned Covid-19 positive again,” he wrote.

“My doctors say it is a Covid rebound, which happens in 5 to 10 per cent of cases. The doctors have advised me to self-isolate until I test ART negative.”

Mr Albanese will now meet with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, who is acting in the top job due to Mr Lee’s diagnosis.

“Nice to speak to (Mr Lee) earlier today to wish him a speedy recovery – looking forward to meeting with Acting Prime Minister (Lawrence Wong),” Mr Albanese wrote on Twitter shortly before departing Australia.

Mr Albanese’s meeting with Mr Lee was going to focus on strengthening bilateral co-operation, including implementing the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement signed in October 2022.

The two leaders were also going to discuss strengthening mutual food and energy security, Defence co-operation and trade and investment ties.

Mr Albanese said on Wednesday he was looking forward to meeting with Mr Lee and discussing the projects under way as part of Australia and Singapore’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s speech will go ahead as planned. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

However, Mr Albanese’s speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue – in which he will lay out “Australia’s vision for the Indo-Pacific” – is set to go ahead as planned.

Convened by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Dialogue is a major regional forum for senior government and thought leaders to discuss regional security dynamics and challenges.

Mr Albanese will head straight on to Vietnam on Saturday for a two-day trip to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia.

In Vietnam, Mr Albanese will meet with senior leaders to promote Australian business and education ties and expand co-operation on developments in the environment, climate and energy sectors.

The Albanese government has identified Vietnam as an “area of focus”, noting it is an increasingly important economic and strategic partner for Australia in Southeast Asia.

The trip marks Mr Albanese’s first official visit to both Singapore and Vietnam.

“Australia is committed to expanding and deepening ties with our partners in Southeast Asia to address shared challenges and ambitions,” Mr Albanese said on Wednesday.

Originally published as Singaporean PM tests positive to Covid-19 hours before Anthony Albanese’s trip