News Stories - 30 October 2009
Fourth East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Thailand on 25 October
Outcomes from the Fourth EAS met Australia’s key objectives to strengthen its agenda and reinforce the EAS as a key forum for engagement on regional challenges.
The summit established a pathway to an EAS Finance Ministers’ process, noting that Finance Ministers should meet at an appropriate time, recognising that six EAS member countries are in the G20 and EAS input will usefully feed into Korea’s G20 agenda for 2010.
Leaders agreed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia initiative, including a potential EAS-wide FTA, will now go forward for detailed consideration by officials. This is a significant development for Australia and the region.
The Prime Minister and leaders from the ten ASEAN countries and New Zealand announced that the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) will enter into force on 1 January 2010.
AANZFTA is the largest Free Trade Agreement Australia has ever concluded, covering over 600 million people and some 20 per cent ($112 billion) of our two-way trade. The deal will eliminate tariffs on 96 per cent of Australia’s current exports to ASEAN nations by 2020. Currently, only 67 per cent of our exports to the ASEAN region are tariff-free.
The summit provided a useful opportunity for the Prime Minister to brief regional leaders on his Asia Pacific community (APc) proposal. Leaders appreciated the PM’s briefing on the APc proposal and looked forward to further discussion of it at a major international conference for senior officials and academics in Sydney (3-5 December). There is an increasing openness to discussion on how Australia evolves its regional architecture.
The Prime Minister’s initiative on disaster response – including practical proposals for improving regional capabilities – was well received with leaders responding readily to Australia’s proposal to create a network of regional disaster response “Sherpas” and establishing a regional pooled emergency relief fund.
EAS leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to combat people smuggling, stressing the importance of bilateral and regional cooperation.
Leaders also made a commitment to contribute actively to a successful outcome at the Copenhagen Conference and requested EAS Environment Ministers consider ways to develop EAS cooperation on climate change.
News Stories - 23 October 2009
Relations with Indonesia
Australia-Indonesia relations are at an all-time high. Prime Minister Rudd and Foreign Minister Smith’s attendance at President Yudhoyono’s inauguration demonstrate the strength and breadth of the relationship. The consolidation of Indonesian democracy is an enduring Australian interest.
Prime Minister Rudd and Foreign Minister Smith’s attendance at Yudhoyono’s 20 October inauguration underscored the strength and breadth of the relationship. Australia has good cooperation with Indonesia on the challenge of people-smuggling and expects this to continue in the future.
Foreign Minister Smith’s visit to the site of the West Sumatra earthquake also underlined Australian support for reconstruction and recovery efforts there. Australia is providing $12 million to assist recovery efforts, in addition to the assistance provided in the emergency rescue and relief stage in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
The consolidation of Indonesian democracy is also an enduring Australian interest. Yudhoyono’s inauguration marks a significant milestone, as the first time an Indonesian President has been re-elected democratically. Australia looks forward to working with the new Yudhoyono Administration over the next five years to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Mr Smith’s vist to India
Australia is committed to taking its bilateral relationship with India to the front rank of its international partnerships.
Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, visited India from 12-16 October. A key aspect of the visit was the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with his Indian counterpart, Minister of External Affairs, S M Krishna, on 13 October in New Delhi.
Mr Smith’s visit to India was the ninth visit by an Australian Minister since the beginning of 2008. In the same period, ten Indian Ministers have made visits to Australia. The Prime Minister is expected to visit India before the end of the year.
The ministers engaged in an in-depth and wide-ranging discussion about international and regional issues. Relations between India and Australia continue to expand across a wide front, adding depth and breadth to the relationship. Both ministers underlined the significant capacity for enhanced regional cooperation between India and Australia, including to strengthen the leaders-led East Asia Summit.
Australia and India are pleased that the G20 has been designated as the premier forum for international economic cooperation and look forward to continuing to work together closely in the G20 to meet the challenges confronting the global economy.
Political links continue to expand as Australia and India are finalising the details of a new young political leaders’ exchange program. The exchange will build strong links between the rising political leaders of India and Australia, helping to deepen mutual understanding. The second India Australia Roundtable meeting will be hosted in New Delhi in November.
The bilateral economic relationship between Australia and India continues to go from strength-to-strength, especially in the resources and energy sector. India is now Australia’s fifth largest export market and two-way investment continues to grow. The base of the economic relationship is expanding into new areas such as energy, information technology and biotechnology.
News Stories - 15 October 2009
Response to regional disasters
Earthquake and tsunami in Samoa and Tonga
Australia has provided prompt and effective humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the tsunami which hit Samoa and Tonga on 30 September.
Australia quickly mobilised a substantial humanitarian assistance operation as part of a $2 million initial package of support. Immediate support focused on providing medical personnel, search and rescue teams and urgently needed disaster relief supplies. An initial team of 46 personnel arrived in Samoa early on 1 October, within 26 hours of the tsunami. At the height of the operation, 108 personnel were deployed.
Australia is now shifting its focus to the recovery process and will provide assistance to help rebuild essential infrastructure. Australia and New Zealand will each contribute $5 million to the Government of Samoa to support its tsunami recovery and reconstruction efforts. The immediate priority will be rebuilding communities, including housing, water, power and roads.
Australia will provide a $1 million package of support to Tonga to help relief and recovery efforts on the island of Niuatoputapu.
Earthquake in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
The Australian Government has provided prompt and effective humanitarian assistance following the Sumatran earthquakes which took place on 30 September.
Australia’s initial response focused on search and rescue with a $2.8 million response package. This included a 36-person search and rescue team, relief supplies, and military health and engineering assessment teams. At the height of this phase Australia had 582 personnel committed to Indonesia.
Australia will provide $12 million of recovery and reconstruction assistance for the Sumatra earthquakes. In particular, $10 million to West Sumatra to help rebuild schools and public health facilities; $1 million to the Indonesian Government’s Reconstruction Trust Fund and an additional $1 million to Australian NGOs to assist recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Australia will also provide $5 million to West Java following the 2 September earthquake to help repair or rebuild up to 100 schools.
Typhoon Ketsana and Parma in the Philippines and Mekong region countries (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos)
Australia has provided $1 million in assistance to people affected by the typhoons in the Philippines and the widespread flooding which has followed.
Australia announced a further $2 million to feed thousands of people affected in the Philippines by the typhoons, which will be delivered through the World Food Programme.
A flash appeal with a target of USD 74 million was launched by the UN on 6 October. Australia’s $3 million commitment also represents its initial response to the flash appeal and makes Australia the second largest bilateral donor towards the relief effort behind the United States. Donors have already pledged more than USD 37 million to the relief effort.
Australia has contributed $1 million towards meeting the immediate needs of affected and vulnerable populations in the aftermath of Ketsana in Vietnam.
In response to the Lao Government’s call for help, Australia will provide a $1 million package of disaster assistance aid to affected communities in the remote southern provinces. This assistance will be delivered by Australian NGOs which will provide food, clean water, shelter and basic medical supplies to people in desperate need.
The 2009-10 Australia-European Union (EU) Partnership Framework launched at the Australia and EU Ministerial Troika Consultations in Stockholm on 8 October 2009
The 2009-10 Australia-EU Partnership Framework was launched by Mr Smith and his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt, representing the EU Presidency, along with European Commissioner for External Relations Ferrero-Waldner on 8 October 2009 at the Australia-EU Ministerial Troika Consultations in Stockholm.
The Australia-EU Partnership Framework guides the modern relationship between Australia and the EU. Australia and the EU are like-minded on many global issues - they have shared interests and common goals.
There have been very positive and practical outcomes from the Partnership Framework since it was first launched a year ago. Australia and the European Commission (EC) signed a new Australia-EC Wine Agreement. Once ratified, this will provide additional benefits to both Australian and European wine producers. The EC became one of the founding members of Australia’s Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI).
There are a number of further positive outcomes and areas for cooperation that have been agreed in the 2009-2010 iteration. In particular, the prospect of a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement between Australia and the EU which will replace Australia’s existing bilateral air services agreements with 17 EU Member States.
Furthermore, improved aid coordination through the strong support from the EU for the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific and the principle of delegated aid cooperation, whereby Australia and the EU will implement aid projects on behalf of each other in the Pacific and Africa respectively, where each has established networks and regional expertise.
In addition, the development of clean energy technology and increased cooperation in science and research; as well as cooperating to address regional and international challenges including climate change, the work of the G20 in responding to the global economic crisis, Iran, the DPRK, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Pacific.
News Stories - 1 October 2009
Tropical Storm in the Philippines
Australia will provide up to $1 million to support response and recovery activities in the wake of Tropical Storm ‘Ondoy’ (Ketsana) which struck the island of Luzon in the Philippines on 26 September.
Australia offers condolences to the Government and people of the Philippines on the tragic loss of life due to Tropical Storm ‘Ondoy’ (Ketsana). The storm has caused the worst flooding in the country in over four decades, with more than 250 deaths reported and over 2.5 million people affected, mostly in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces in southern Luzon.
Australia will provide an initial contribution of up to $1 million to relief efforts by humanitarian agencies on-the-ground including the Philippines National Red Cross. The United Nations is coordinating an international appeal on behalf of the Philippines Government. Australia will wait for the details of this appeal before making decisions on further assistance.
Australian assistance for Samoa and Tonga
Australia stands ready to assist the Samoan and Tongan Governments following the devastating tsunami on 30 September.
Australia extends its condolences to the communities affected by the tsunami, which has caused large scale devastation in the south-eastern regions of Samoa and northern parts of Tonga.
Australia is providing urgently needed disaster assistance to both countries, including relief supplies in response to requests for assistance.
Australia’s response to Samoa is part of a $2 million initial package of support to help Samoa respond to the immediate aftermath of the tsunami. The package of support to Samoa includes disaster relief items such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito nets and water containers.
Mr Smith has also sent a task force of Australian officials to give additional assistance to the Australian High Commission in Apia to verify the safety of all Australian officials, their families and other Australian holiday makers.
The Government of Tonga has requested Australia and New Zealand to provide emergency supplies including medical supplies, generators, refrigeration equipment, shelter, food and clothing. Australia is working closely with New Zealand to coordinate the delivery of these supplies. An Australian medical team that was in Tonga on a private medical mission are on standby and awaiting a request for their assistance.
Australia stands ready to offer further assistance to Samoa, Tonga and other Pacific countries.
G20 Pittsburgh Summit
The Australian government welcomes outcomes from a successful G20 Pittsburgh Summit. The designation of the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation was a historic day for Australia as, for the first time, Australia has secured a permanent place at the top table of global economic decision-making.
Australia welcomes outcomes of a successful G20 Pittsburgh Summit which demonstrated leadership of G20 countries in delivering a collective response to the economic crisis and focusing on a future path to sustainable, long-term growth.
Designation of the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation was a historic moment in global governance. It was the first time Australia has secured a permanent seat at the key international forum for global economic decision-making. There was recognition that decisive action by the G20 prevented the financial crisis going into a prolonged and deep decline and that the G20 is representative in membership to produce effective and efficient decisions.
Key outcomes from Australia’s perspective are the commitment to maintain economic stimulus measures until global recovery is assured and to avoid premature withdrawal of stimulus; the agreement to a new framework for strong, sustainable balanced growth (under which countries will develop medium-term policy frameworks which will be subject to peer review) and the commitment to refrain from protectionist trade measures; and to seek an ambitious and balanced conclusion to the Doha Round in 2010.
In addition, an agreement to intensify efforts to reach agreement on climate change at Copenhagen, including tasking Finance Ministers with further work on financing; the support for reform of international financial institutions to make them more representative of developing and emerging economies; and the strengthening regulation of financial institutions.
Australia welcomes the G20 decision for 2010 Summits to be hosted by Canada (June – with Korea co-chairing) and Korea (November); and for France to host to the G20 in 2011.
Australia injects new money to help developing countries meet health Millennium Development Goals
The Australian Government is committed to helping developing countries meet the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
Global partners, consisting of international organisations and bilateral donors such as Australia, have been working through the International Health Partnership (the Partnership) – designed to speed up progress towards the health MDGs by streamlining donor and developing country activities.
Last week Australia joined other world leaders in further strengthening the Partnership by committing $276 million to help the world’s poorest countries deliver better health care and meet the health MDGs. The contribution was announced at the high-level event Investing in Our Common Future: Healthy Women, Healthy Children, held at the United Nations in New York on 23 September.
Australia will contribute $250 million over 20 years to an international finance facility for health systems to help the world’s poorest countries to deliver better health care to their people. The international finance facility, with support from Australia and other donor countries, will help low-income countries deliver essential health services now by providing accelerated assistance in a more predictable and streamlined way.
The Facility will convert long-term aid commitments into immediate funding for health services; and raise funds in international capital markets by issuing Triple-A-rated bonds, backed by binding commitments from sponsors like Australia.
The funds raised by the facility will help countries tackle health system challenges, such as training health staff, buying essential drugs, and providing basic maternal and child health care services.
The Facility will be based on the successful International Finance Facility for Immunisation, established in 2006.
Australia will also provide $26 million to a joint International Health Partnership effort, along with the UK and the World Bank, to match the Government of Nepal’s commitment to a pro-poor and efficiently designed new health sector program.
The Australian Government’s commitment, together with others announced by the governments of the United Kingdom, Norway and Netherlands will provide a total of US$1 billion to back substantial new investments in health systems now.