News Centre
Australian Assistance to Chile
2 March 2010
Following a formal request yesterday from the Chilean Ambassador, the Australian Government has decided on an initial contribution of $1 million in emergency assistance in response to the massive earthquake that struck south of Santiago de Chile on 27 February.
Australia will also make a contribution of $4 million in reconstruction assistance following detailed needs assessments by Chilean authorities.
Japanese Foreign Minister Okada visits Australia
20-21 February 2010
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada visited Australia on 20-21 February 2010. He is the first minister of the Hatoyama Government to visit Australia. Minister Okada met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Defence Minister Senator John Faulker on 20 February 2010.
The Foreign Ministers of Japan and Australia, Mr Katsuya Okada and Mr Stephen Smith, met in Perth on 21 February and reaffirmed the common recognition that the threat of nuclear weapons is one of the most serious issues that humankind faces.
Trade Minister Simon Crean delivers speech: "Trade at the centre of the global recovery"
16 February 2010
Trade Minister Simon Crean delivered a speech entitled "Trade at the centre of the global recovery" to the Foreign Correspondents Association in Australia on 16 February 2010.
Mr Crean spoke about why Australian was the only advanced economy to grow in 2009 during the global financial crisis. He also examined prospects for conclusion of the WTO Doha Round, Australia's bilateral FTA negotiations with Japan, China, Korea and others, and the role of the Trans Pacific Partnership as a possible building block towards a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.
Australian contributions for civilian efforts in Afghanistan
2 February 2010
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced further Australian contributions for civilian efforts in Afghanistan at the London Conference on Afghanistan on 28 January, and delivered a Statement on Afghanistan to the House on 2 February.
Australia's additional $100 million contribution includes a $50 million contribution to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund run by the World Bank and a $25 million contribution to the newly established Peace and Reintegration Fund, established by the Government of Afghanistan with the support of the Conference and the international community.
Australian Statement on Haiti - UN Human Rights Council
29 January 2010
Australia's Charge d'Affaires to the United Nations in Geneva delivered Australia's Statement on Haiti to the United Nations Human Rights Council on 28 January 2010.
Foreign Minister Smith to attend the London Conference on Afghanistan
24 January 2010
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith will visit the United Kingdom on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 January to attend the London Conference on Afghanistan. A key focus of his attendance will be to underline Australia’s support for the strategy announced by President Obama in December 2009 and adopted by the coalition of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) countries. Australia is making a substantial contribution to security and reconstruction in Oruzgan province.
Australia increases emergency assistance to Haiti
19 January 2010
Over the last few days it has become clear that the situation in Haiti is dire and as more devastation is discovered outside Port au Prince, the scale of the disaster is increasing.
In response to this and to the United Nation’s Flash Appeal launched on the weekend, Australia will provide an additional $5 million to meet urgent and emergency humanitarian needs such as food, water and sanitation, shelter and medical assistance.
Australian Assistance to Haiti
14 January 2010
Australia will provide an initial $10 million in emergency humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance in response to the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti close to the capital of Port-au-Prince around 9am (AEST) yesterday, 13 January 2010.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits Japan
15 December 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Japan on 15 December 2009 and met Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. Prime Minister also gave a presentation about Australian economy to an audience of senior Japanese business leaders during a lunch event in which he stressed the resilience and strength of the Australian economy and outlined the government's economic policies.
ICNND releases its final report
15 December 2009
The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) presented its final report "Eliminating Nuclear Threats" to the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. The Commission was founded by the governments of Australia and Japan, and co-chaired by former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans and former Japanese foreign minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.
Trade Minister Simon Crean visits Japan
25 - 27 October 2009
Trade Minister Simon Crean visited Japan - the first Commonwealth Government Minister to visit since the inauguration of the Hatoyama Government. During his visit. Minister Crean and his counterpart, METI Minister Masayuki Naoshima held the first Australia - Japan Trade and Economic Ministerial Dialogue. He also met Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hirotaka Akamatsu as well as other business leaders in Japan.
Joint Statement by Commission Co-Chairs Gareth Evans and Yoriko Kawaguchi on the Conclusion of the Meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
16 - 20 October 2009
The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament held its fourth meeting in Hiroshima, 16-20 October 2009.
The Commission and Advisory Board Members held intensive discussions to finalise its draft report - which is to be issued early next year in advance of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. The Commission aims to reinvigorate the global debate on nuclear disarmament and on preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons to other parts of the world.
ICNND Co-Chairs Gareth Evans and Yoriko Kawaguchi release joint statement
2 - 4 October 2009
The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) held its fourth regional meeting for South Asia in New Delhi on 2 -4 October.
Discussion at the two day meeting was structured around the three pillars underlying the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: pursuing nuclear disarmament, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, and facilitating the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology to meet growing regional energy demands.
The ICNND will hold its final meeting in Hiroshima from 17 to 20 October and will compile its final report by next January in advance of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which will be held in New York in May, 2010.
Australian assistance for Samoa
30 September 2009
In response to Samoa's request for help following a devastating earthquake and tsunami, Australia will send medical personnel and urgently needed disaster relief supplies. This response is part of a $2 million initial package of support to help Samoa respond to the immediate aftermath of the tsunami.
Building Momentum: Australia, Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Agenda
12 August 2009
Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith delivered the third Sir Arthur Tange Lecture in Diplomacy, which focused on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
Australia implements new UN sanctions against North Korea
12 July 2009
The Australian Government has amended regulations regarding the implementation of sanctions against North Korea, bringing Australian law into line with its obligations under UNSC Resolution 1874.
Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute launched
10 July 2009
The Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI) was launched internationally today by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at an event jointly hosted by the United States President Barack Obama and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in L'Aquila, Italy, following a meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. The Global CCS Institute is an international initiative led by Australia intended to speed up the development of carbon capture and storage technology and reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
Museums and private collectors worldwide asked to work with the Government to return Indigenous remains
10 July 2009
The Australian Government today called for museums and private collectors worldwide to work with the Government to return Indigenous remains. The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the Government was overhauling the processes for the repatriation of Australian remains from international institutions to make them more inclusive of Indigenous viewpoints.
Prime Minister delivers speech on a strategy for sustainable economic recovery
7 July 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a speech entitled "A strategy for sustainable economic recovery- the role of the G20" during his visit to Berlin.
Extra 15 million dollars for Australia-Asia Student Exchange
7 July 2009
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today extended the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship Program for a further 10 years at a signing ceremony in Melbourne. The funding will provide for about 2000 student exchanges and research fellowships for Australian and Asian scholars.
Appointment of Ambassador Yukiya Amano as IAEA Director General
5 July 2009
Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith issued a media release welcoming the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors' decision to appoint Ambassador Yukiya Amano as the next Director General of the IAEA.
Japan - the largest export market for Australian goods in 2008
23 June 2009
Australian exports of primary products such as food, fuels and minerals increased 50.7 per cent to $152.2 billion, while exports of manufactures rose 3.1 per cent to $40.9 billion in 2008, according to a new report titled Exports of Primary and Manufactured Products, 2008 released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Japan ($50.5 billion), China ($32.3 billion) and the Republic of Korea ($18.2 billion ) were the three largest export markets for Australian goods.
International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) meets in Moscow
20 - 21 June 2009
The ICNND held its third meeting in Moscow on 20 and 21 June 2009. Discussions focused on compiling the draft of a report to be issued early next year in advance of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. The Commission also discussed strategies to reduce the number of nuclear weapons worldwide and ways to create conditions which would allow the Commission to achieve its ultimate goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Australia welcomes UN Security Council response to North Korea's nuclear test
15 June 2009
Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith released a statement welcoming the United Nations Security Council's unanimous adoption of Resolution 1874 which strongly condemned North Korea's nuclear test on 25 May.
Prime Minister announces cabinet reshuffle
6 June 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a cabinet reshuffle in order to focus on the Government's priorities including nation-building for economic recovery and strengthening Australia's national security.
Prime Minister Rudd makes keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue
29 May 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made the keynote address at the eighth Shangri-La Dialogue, which was held from 29 to 31 May 2009 and organised by the British think-tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Australia to join the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
28 May 2009
Australia's application to join the Asia-Europe Meeting process was approved at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM9) held in Hanoi from 25 to 26 May 2009. ASEM is an interregional forum incorporating the ASEAN Secretariat, sixteen Asian countries, the European Commission and the twenty-seven members of the European Union. Australia will officially join the Asia-Europe Meeting at the next ASEM Summit (ASEM8) to be held in Brussels in 2010.
ICNND Co-Chair Gareth Evans visits Japan
26 - 27 May 2009
Co-Chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) Gareth Evans visited Tokyo from 26 to 27 May 2009 at the invitation of the ICNND Japan NGO Network. During his visit, Mr Evans held round table discussions with NGO organisations and specialists and also met with Japanese diet members.
Telephone conference between the Australian and Japanese Prime Ministers
26 May 2009
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd held a telephone conference with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and discussed issues including the recent North Korean nuclear test.
The fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM5)
22 - 23 May 2009
Australian Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan visited Japan to attend the fifth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting.
North East Asia Regional Meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
23 May 2009
The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament held a regional meeting in Beijing, China on 22-23 May.
Co-Chairs Evans and Kawaguchi called on all countries in the region to support and undertake practical disarmament steps towards the eventual abolition of nuclear weapons globally, and to adopt the most stringent international controls against proliferation.
Australian Commitments to the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank
12 May 2009
The Rudd Government announced that Australia would join with other countries to ensure that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would have resources available to maintain stability and support recovery in the global economy.
These commitments are in line with the outcomes of the G-20 Leaders' Summit in London at which Australia joined the world's largest economies in agreeing to treble the resources available to the IMF, and to ensure that multilateral development banks such as the ADB have the appropriate capital in order to tackle the global recession.
Australia announces new measures for the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)
4 May 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Climate Change and Water Penny Wong jointly announced on 4 May 2009 that Australia would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020, if there was a global agreement sufficient to stabilise atmospheric greenhouse gases at 450 parts per million CO2-equivalent or lower by mid century.
Latin America Regional Meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
1 - 3 May 2009
The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, co-charied by former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans and former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, held its first regional meeting in Santiago de Chile on 1-3 May. Commissioners called on all countries in the Latin America region to adopt the most stringent international controls against nuclear proliferation and to support practical steps towards the eventual abolition of nuclear weapons globally.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon
Defence White Paper 2009
2 May 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon released a Defence White Paper entitled "Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030" on 2 May 2009. It has been nine years since the last Defence White Paper in 2000.