1. The Defence Ministers from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom reaffirmed their nations’ continued commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), and commended the achievements over the past 49 years as the FPDA moves towards its 50th Anniversary in 2021.

2. The Ministers recognised the FPDA’s significant role and contribution in promoting cooperative responses to an increasingly complex contemporary security environment.

3. The Ministers extended their deepest sympathies to the countries, communities and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and noted the effective measures undertaken by FPDA nations’ in dealing with the pandemic and ensuring the well-being of their people, economic development as well as regional security and stability.

4. Assuring the resilience of the FPDA amidst these difficult times, the Ministers commended the FPDA Consultative Council (FCC), the FPDA Policy Group (FPG) and the FPDA Activities Coordinating Committee (FACC) leaders for their adaptability in utilising alternative platforms to ensure continuity in decision-making processes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. The Ministers welcomed the growth in scope and depth of the FPDA over the last 49 years, which has evolved to introduce elements of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism and maritime security into FPDA exercises and discussions whilst retaining its core focus on conventional warfare. This development has enabled FPDA to retain its relevance in an increasingly complex contemporary security environment.

6. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the FPDA’s founding principles: to remain relevant and defensive in nature, and evolve at a ‘pace comfortable to all’. Complementing these founding principles, the “3Rs” principles of adhering to the FPDA’s Remit, maintaining Relevance and providing Reassurance to the region are cardinal in guiding the FPDA’s future outlook.

7. The Ministers appreciated the extensive effort by the members in planning and organising the FPDA activities despite the cancellation of exercises due to the pandemic situation. The Ministers also recognised the significant value that these activities offer, in enhancing cooperation on conventional military operations, building trust and confidence, developing greater people-to-people links and fostering interoperability between member nations’ armed forces.

8. The Ministers looked forward to marking the celebration of the FPDA’s 50thAnniversary in 2021. The Ministers agreed that the celebrations would showcase the FPDA’s integrated capability, commitment to transparency, and continued evolution to remain a relevant and trusted mainstay of regional security architecture.

On 30 November 2020 the Bona Vacantia Division will be publishing new Discretionary Grant (where a company can be restored) and Restoration Repayment guidelines.

There are significant changes to the guidance and forms which will make the application process easier including the introduction of QR Codes and the requirement for statutory declarations in discretionary grant applications (company can be restored) being removed and replaced by a form of undertaking.

Any application forwarded using the current published guidance and forms will be accepted up until 31 December 2020. As from 1 January 2021 any application must be made using the new forms and guidance.

Any submissions received after 1 January 2021 using the old forms and guidance will not be accepted and will be returned for re-submission.

A man whose dangerous driving caused the death of a 13-year-old boy has had his sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Liam Wilson, 21, had not passed his driving test when he bought a car for £250 in July 2020. Despite being told he would need to insure and MOT the vehicle immediately if he wanted to drive it, he chose not to do so.

On Tuesday 7 July 2020, Wilson drove the car through Ashton-in-Makerfield. He drove the car around a bend at 58mph in a 20mph zone. Wilson lost control of the car and collided with Jack Worwood, 13, who died in hospital the following day.

After colliding with the victim and crashing the car, Wilson fled the scene and hid from police. He was arrested the following day.

Wilson was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 5 years and 10 months on 4 September 2020 at Bolton Crown Court.

Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, on 27 November the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to 5 years’ imprisonment. The Court also increased Wilson’s driving disqualification to 6 years and 6 months.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

Wilson’s dangerous driving killed an innocent young boy who was on his way to play football. He fled the scene after the crash and showed little remorse. No sentence can repair the damage Wilson caused, but I hope the Court of Appeal’s decision today gives some closure to the victim’s family.