Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told the Australian parliament that the post war global order is breaking down after successive crises, urging middle powers such as Canada and Australia to help shape new rules for security and prosperity rather than allow dominant powers to dictate outcomes. He described the two nations as strategic cousins and called for deeper cooperation to strengthen sovereign capabilities.

Carney highlighted opportunities to collaborate on critical minerals, defence, artificial intelligence and space, as both countries seek greater autonomy in an increasingly unstable world. Australia will join the Group of Seven Critical Minerals Alliance, a move Carney said would unite trusted democratic mineral reserves. Together, Canada and Australia account for significant shares of global uranium, lithium and iron ore production.

Addressing rising tensions in the Middle East, Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supported recent strikes on Iran but called for de escalation, saying any ceasefire should ensure Tehran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Carney’s visit to Australia follows a diplomatic breakthrough in India and will continue with meetings in Japan as Canada seeks to reinforce ties across the Indo Pacific region.