News Stories - 20 October 2006
Julian Moti’s escape from PNG raises questions of governance and rule of law
The escape from PNG of Julian Moti, an Australian citizen who is wanted for serious alleged child sex offences, and who is also Solomon Islands’ Attorney-General, has raised serious concerns.
On 10 October, a PNG military aircraft conveyed Australian citizen, Mr Julian Moti, from PNG to Solomon Islands. Mr Moti was subject to extradition proceedings properly initiated by Australia for serious alleged child sex offences. He was also subject to PNG court processes and an arrest warrant.
Australia has conveyed to the PNG Government its serious concern about the manner of Mr Moti’s departure, and informed it of our decision to put a number of high-level meetings and visits on hold
- Australia also called for robust legal action against those found responsible for Mr Moti’s departure.
Moti’s removal goes to the heart of Australia’s concerns about problems with governance and the rule of law in parts of the Pacific.
The PNG Government has expressed regret over the incident and announced an investigation by officials, which it has said may lead to referrals to law enforcement agencies.
It is important for PNG's own credibility that it establish who gave the orders to remove Mr Moti, and that they be dealt with in accordance with the law – at whatever level of government they may be.
Australia supports UN action on North Korea
Australia supports unified international action to kerb North Korea's nuclear activities.
Australia welcomed the unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council (UNSC) of resolution 1718 on 14 October.
- The resolution unequivocally demands that North Korea cease its provocative actions, and terminate its nuclear, ballistic missile and WMD programs.
- The resolution demonstrates the unity and resolve of the international community in the face of North Korea's serious and provocative actions.
- The resolution imposes targeted sanctions on North Korea under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
- Australia will work closely and cooperatively with UN members to effectively implement the resolution.
The resolution imposes targeted sanctions against North Korea, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, including:
- a ban on trade with North Korea in conventional arms, material and technology that could contribute to North Korea’s nuclear, missile or WMD programs;
- a ban on the export of luxury goods;
- financial and trade sanctions against North Korean entities of WMD proliferation financing concern, including a freeze on all assets of designated entities; and
- a call for UN member states to take cooperative action, consistent with international law, to inspect cargo going to and from North Korea.
Australia will work closely with the UNSC’s Sanctions Committee and other states to implement the resolution’s measures, which are complemented by Australia’s additional bilateral restrictions.
- On 16 October Mr Downer announced a ban on DPRK vessels accessing Australian ports.
- This followed his announcement on 10 October of further visa restrictions on DPRK citizens, and financial sanctions previously imposed on 12 specific entities and one individual on 19 September.
North Korea must return to the six-party talks, but more importantly implement its obligations under the Joint Statement of September 2005.
- It must comply with Resolution 1718 and ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear program, and its compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and IAEA safeguards.
- Failure to do so may lead to the Security Council taking further steps.
Australia to reform quarantine system
Trading partners should be pleased with the announced changes to Australia’s quarantine import risk analysis (IRA) process. The reforms, including implementation of regulated timeframes, will make the process more streamlined, timely and transparent.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Peter McGauran, announced the reforms to Australia's IRA process on Wednesday 18 October 2006.
The key improvements, which will provide greater certainty and confidence in Australia's quarantine system, are:
- maximum timeframes for the completion of IRAs will be imposed through regulations - 24 months for a standard IRA and 30 months for an expanded process - depending on whether there are significant differences in scientific opinion or whether there is a significant biosecurity risk;
- a high-level group will be established to prioritise import proposals and monitor their progress (The criteria used to allocate priority to IRAs and Australia's IRA work program will be made public); and
- the process of reviewing IRAs by the Eminent Scientists Group will be strengthened, underlining the scientific basis of Australia's system.
Major IRAs that are near completion on apples, bananas, chicken meat and prawns will be finalised under the existing process, and will not be affected by the introduction of new arrangements.
For other IRAs, the Chief Executive of Biosecurity Australia will issue a public statement describing the transitional arrangements before the implementation of the reforms.
The new process will take effect early in 2007, when regulations being made under the Quarantine Act 1908 come into force.
Australia celebrates top scientists and innovative research
Australia has paid tribute to five of its top scientists and science teaches in the 2006 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. The awards recognise excellence in science research in the fields of molecular biology, astronomy and engineering/biology.
Three of the 2006 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science have been awarded to scientists who were born overseas, demonstrating Australia’s ability to attract leading scientists.
Professor Mandyam Veerambudi Srinivasan (born in India) from the Australian National University received the Prime Minster’s Prize for Science, the nation’s premier award for scientific research.
Professor Srinivasan devoted his early research career to understanding how bees work. He discovered how bees manoeuvre in flight and land so precisely and he applied these newly discovered principles of navigation to revolutionary developments in robotics.
Professor Srinivasan’s research is now followed closely by robotics experts around the world.
Monash University biochemist Dr James Whisstock (born in the UK) received the Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year for his innovative work on proteins. Dr Whisstock’s research could potentially assist in the treatment of a range of medical conditions including dementia and Alzheimer’s.
CSIRO astronomer Dr Naomi McClure-Griffiths (born in the US) was awarded the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year. Over the past ten years, Dr McClure’s study of the Milky Way has lead to the discovery of a new spiral arm and changed many long-held ideas about the evolution of our galaxy.
Two outstanding science teachers, Ms Marj Colvill and Ms Anna Davis, were also publicly recognised through the Prime Minister's Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary and Secondary Schools.
Further details about the prizes and this year’s recipients are available at www.dest.gov.au/scienceprize
News Stories - 13 October 2006
Australia condemns North Korea’s announcement that it has conducted a nuclear weapons test
Australia strongly condemned North Korea’s 9 October announcement that it had conducted a nuclear test. This provocative act defied calls for restraint by Australia and the international community following North Korea’s 3 October announcement that it intended to conduct a test. North Korea’s continuing and escalating provocations are a grave threat to peace and security in the region and beyond.
Australia has responded forcefully to North Korea’s announcement of 9 October that it had conducted a nuclear test despite international calls to exercise restraint.
The Prime Minister firmly and unequivocally condemned North Korea’s announcement on 9 October, as did the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Downer.
Mr Downer called in North Korean Ambassador Chon on 10 October to express Australia’s condemnation. Mr Downer has also written in similar terms to the North Korean Foreign Minister.
Australia fully supports a robust international response to this latest and most serious provocation by North Korea, and calls on the United Nations to take swift and effective action. This action should be taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, and should include targeted sanctions against the North Korean regime.
Australia intends to promote a strong concerted response through regional organisations, but our efforts at this stage are focused on the Security Council.
We are also introducing additional restrictions on the issuing of visas to North Korean citizens, including the cancellation of some existing visas. Of course, Australia will be fully implementing any measures mandated in a new resolution.
The announcement of the test means it is even more important that North Korea returns to the six-party talks process. North Korea must make an unconditional commitment to implement its obligations under the September 2005 Joint Statement, including the abandonment of all nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons programs, and return to the NPT and IAEA safeguards.
Australia remains seriously concerned over the welfare of the North Korean people who are made vulnerable by North Korean government policy that diverts scarce resources into missile and nuclear weapons programs.
Australia will continue to provide humanitarian support through multilateral agencies separate from policy considerations on the nuclear issue.
The European Union should work with Australia on energy and the environment
Australia’s environmental credentials, including our work with developing countries in our region, make us a natural dialogue partner for the European Union (EU) in the development of its common external energy policy and in meeting its environmental targets.
The EU should consult with Australia in its development of a common external energy policy. Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal, fifth largest LNG exporter and has significant uranium reserves.
The EU needs to understand that while Australia is an energy exporter, we also have strong environmental credentials and that we have a common view with the EU and member states that technological change cannot be overlooked if our impact on the climate is to be reduced.
Australia is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is currently on track to meet the target we would face under the Kyoto Protocol.
Our concerns about the adequacy of the Kyoto Protocol are well-known. Even in the unlikely event that all targets were met, greenhouse emissions would not be stabilised.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, emissions would still rise by 40 per cent. Without it, emissions would rise by 41 per cent. This difference is negligible.
The great challenge before all of us is to allow development and alleviation of poverty without damaging the climate.
Australia is working to get countries in our region, some of whom are becoming major emitters, to address the challenge of climate change. In the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate our objective is to engage these countries and share technologies so that economic development can continue, but with less cost to the environment.
Visit to Australia by Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen (9-14 October)
Australia and Cambodia have a long and developing relationship, founded on our strong support for the Cambodian peace process but increasingly characterised by our efforts to strengthen national institutions, promote democracy and cooperate on transnational and regional issues.
Australia and Cambodia have a long and developing relationship. Australia’s support for the Cambodian peace process in the late 1980s and early 1990s represented a strong and lasting commitment to rebuilding the nation.
The contemporary relationship encompasses assistance to promote strong institutions and the rule of law, cooperation on transnational and regional issues and growing commercial interests.
During Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Australia, Prime Minister Howard announced a five year $30 million program to strengthen Cambodia’s judicial system and a five year $45 million program for its agricultural sector.
The Prime Ministers also witnessed an honorary signing acknowledging a major bauxite exploration project in Cambodia involving BHP Billiton, Mitsubishi and the Cambodian Government.
An MOU on Bilateral Investment Cooperation and a treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons were also signed. Australia is Cambodia’s third largest aid donor; our aid will increase from an estimated $42 million in 2005-06 to $48.5 million in 2006-07.
Australia maintains a pragmatic and flexible relationship with NATO
Australia has increased its cooperation with NATO in the last 2 years through a range of initiatives, most significantly through the deployment of troops in Afghanistan. Our future interests with NATO lie in cooperating on shared security concerns, and in maintaining flexibility in determining areas of cooperation.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Alexander Downer met the NATO Secretary-General, Mr Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and addressed a meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) in Brussels on 25 September.
Mr Downer had previously addressed the NAC in May 2004, stressing that international security was indivisible and calling for global cooperation because the challenges before us are global in nature. He suggested there was scope for greater cooperation between Australia and NATO.
During his speech to the NAC on 25 September 2006, Mr Downer outlined steps taken since 2004 including:
- an agreement to allow sharing of classified information;
- the appointment of a Defence Adviser position in Brussels for liaison with NATO;
- Australia’s contribution of equipment to a NATO mine-clearing program in Azerbaijan;
- NATO’s change in the appellation for its relationship with Australia from “triple-non” country (that is, non-NATO member, not a Partner for Peace with NATO and not part of its Mediterranean Initiative) to “contact country” (the change in appellation is largely cosmetic but indicates NATO’s interest in working more closely with Australia); and
- Australia’s first deployment to a NATO operation - our troops are working alongside a Dutch-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan.
Mr Downer urged European members of NATO with caveats on their deployment of forces to Afghanistan to lift those caveats and share more of the heavy lifting involved in stabilising the country.
Looking to the future, Mr Downer said Australia’s interests lie in maintaining a pragmatic and flexible relationship with NATO and addressing shared security concerns where mutual interests intersect, not in becoming a member of NATO.
Mr Downer outlined some new areas where practical cooperation might be developed in the months ahead (such as training, responses to the use of “dirty weapons” and improvised explosive devices).
Archived News Stories 2006
22 September
15 September
1 & 8 September
18 & 25 August
4 & 11 August
21 & 28 July
7 & 14 July
30 June
16 & 23 June
2 & 9 June