Anthony Albanese has spoken to the media after the Department of Defence reported the safety of crew members on board a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane was threatened after it was intercepted by a Chinese military jet.
The incident happened five days after the Federal Election on May 26 during what Defence said was a"routine maritime surveillance activity" in international airspace.
"Defence has for decades undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace," it said in a statement. "We have strategic competition in the region," Mr Albanese said in response before he jets off to Indonesia to meet dignitaries alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Defence said the crew reported a laser emanating from a People's Liberation Army Navy vessel into the RAAF aircraft when it was sailing east through the Arafura Sea.
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