New Stories - 17 November 2006
Australia and Indonesia sign Agreement on the Framework for Security Cooperation
On 13 November in Lombok, Indonesia, Mr Downer and his Indonesian counterpart, Dr Hassan Wirajuda signed the Australia-Indonesia Agreement on the Framework for Security Cooperation (the Treaty of Lombok). The Agreement is forward-looking and aims to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation and exchanges on matters affecting our common security in a modern context.
The Agreement provides a strong legal framework for encouraging intensive dialogue, exchanges and implementation of cooperative activities to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes in the areas of:
- defence,
- law enforcement,
- counter-terrorism,
- intelligence,
- maritime and aviation security,
- proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and emergency management and response.
The Agreement also provides a firm basis for the conclusion of separate arrangements in specific areas. Existing and future MOUs on such issues as counter-terrorism, defence cooperation and police cooperation will operate within the overarching framework of the treaty-level Agreement and be guided by the principles enunciated within. It contains a clear undertaking of support for each other’s territorial integrity.
The agreement should set a benchmark for others in the region and will contribute to the stability and prosperity of both countries and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Full text of the agreement can be found at the following website: http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/ind-aus-sec06.html
Australia implements Security Council Resolution 1718 (2006) sanctions against North Korea
Australia has taken action to fully implement in Australian law the United Nations Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and has submitted its implementation report to the Security Council. Australia strongly supports full and effective enforcement of the resolution, including by cooperative action to inspect cargo, and is open to working with other countries to prevent the transfer of embargoed materials.
Security Council Resolution 1718 required all states to prevent their territories, nationals, vessels and aircraft from assisting trade in embargoed goods and services to the DPRK.
This included a ban on trade in specified nuclear, chemical and biological materials (‘WMD-related goods’) and conventional arms, and related technical training and assistance; a ban on the transfer of luxury goods to the DPRK; and financial and travel sanctions against designated individuals/entities.
The resolution also called upon all states to take cooperative action, consistent with international law, to implement the resolution, including through the inspection of cargo to and from the DPRK.
Australia has fully implemented these requirements into domestic law, is enforcing the measures against the DPRK, and has provided its implementation report to the Security Council:
- Australia is conducting inspections of cargo in its territory and is developing a list of luxury goods.
- Australia is ready to cooperate closely with other states to carry out cargo inspections, consistent with Resolution 1718.
- Australia is open to sharing its report with other states and encourages all states to submit their implementation reports to the Security Council as soon as possible .
Australia stands firm with the international community in demanding that North Korea cease its provocative actions and terminate its WMD and missile programs.
North Korea must understand that merely returning to the six-party talks is not enough, and that it must now commence implementing its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement to ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear weapons program.
Australia continues to support the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Trans-national Crime
Australia continues to work cooperatively with Indonesia and other Bali Process countries to combat trans-national crime in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
From 7 to 9 November Australia and Indonesia co-chaired a workshop in Bali under the auspices of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Trans-national Crime.
The workshop, “Human Trafficking: Victim Support”, brought together over 120 participants representing 33 countries from across the region and further a-field, together with various intergovernmental agencies and NGOs.
It explored practical ways to provide support to victims of people trafficking and facilitate prosecutions of traffickers.
The Bali Process, co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, involves more than 50 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The Bali Process continues to deliver valued regional operational cooperation on people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related issues such as document fraud and broader border security issues.
News Stories - 10 November
Successful amendment of the London Protocol
Australia’s proposed amendment to the London Protocol to allow for sub-seabed storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) was agreed to at the first Meeting of Parties of the Protocol. The sub-seabed storage of CO2 promises to contribute strongly to climate objectives.
Australia’s proposed amendment to the London Protocol to allow for sub-seabed storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) was agreed at the first Meeting of Parties of the Protocol (30 Oct-3 Nov) and will enter into force on 10 February 2007.
- The amendment was co-sponsored by France, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The amendment will allow CO2 to be stored in sub-seabed geological formations.
CO2 sequestration is a critical technology for mitigating climate change as part of a broader portfolio of low emissions technologies.
- It will assist countries to secure energy resources and mitigate climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels.
The amended Protocol will assist investment decisions on a number of major mitigation projects, including
- the planned $300 million investment in Australia by Monash Energy in a project to sequester CO2 produced by Victorian power stations in the Gippsland Basin (Bass Strait).
It will also assist countries to reassess their domestic regulations to encourage the development and deployment of this important technology.
- Japan is already looking to amend its seawater protection law to allow for sub-seabed CO2 sequestration.
Archived News Stories 2006
13 & 20 October
29 September & 6 October
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