News Stories – 3 July 2008
International Whaling Commission – 60th Annual Meeting (IWC60)
Australia presented strong proposals to modernise the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and chart a new course in international whale conservation at the Commission’s 60th annual meeting. Australia welcomed the constructive tone of the meeting and the formation of a small working group to discuss the future of the IWC. Australia’s proposals received strong support.
The 60th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) met in Santiago, Chile from 23-27 June.
Australia’s delegation, led by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Mr Peter Garrett, reinforced our strong opposition to commercial and so-called ‘scientific’ whaling, and worked to preserve the moratorium on commercial whaling.
The main outcome of IWC60 was the establishment of a small working group to canvass all the important issues relevant to the future role of the IWC, and which will report to a special IWC meeting early next year. About 24 countries have committed to participate in the group, including Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Australia welcomed the formation of the working group, and the more constructive tone of this year’s meeting.
Australia put forward two substantive proposals at IWC60 on conservation management plans and international collaborative non-lethal whale research partnerships.
Our proposals received strong support from many IWC Members and Australia will work in the coming months to develop them Australia will host a workshop in early 2009, open to all scientists, to plan a non-lethal whale research partnership for the Southern Ocean – broad participation will be encouraged.
Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (TSD) Meeting: Strengthening Regional Security
Good practical outcomes on a range of issues including humanitarian and disaster relief from the TSD, reconfirmed the value of the forum in strengthening Asia Pacific stability and security.
On 27 June, the third Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (TSD) ministerial meeting between Australia, Japan and the United States was held in Kyoto, Japan.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Smith, Japanese Foreign Minister Koumura and US Secretary of State Rice. The TSD allows three close partners to discuss common interests, assess challenges and consider responses on a range of global issues. It also provides an opportunity to consider ways to strengthen functional cooperation in promoting stability and security in the Asia Pacific region.
The talks complement Australia’s security dialogue and cooperation with a range of partners in bilateral and regional forums. Ministers at the conclusion of the TSD ministerial meeting issued a joint statement reaffirming a commitment to work together on security challenges and emerging threats, including through strengthening functional initiatives in the following areas, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; counter-terrorism; pacific island development; and security and defence cooperation.
A key outcome of the meeting was agreement to launch a new strand of practical trilateral cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Asia Pacific region outlined in an annex to the joint ministerial statement.
The three countries committed to establish arrangements for the efficient exchange of information to ensure best use of assets and other resources in responding to natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies
and conducting exercises to build understanding of respective emergency response procedures and capabilities
This trilateral cooperation would seek to complement and reinforce the work of relevant regional and international arrangements, including bodies such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Australia also reaffirmed its willingness to host a trilateral meeting of disaster relief officials to work on a program of cooperation and information sharing
this new strand of cooperation would build on the already strong record of the three countries in responding to the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and to more recent regional disasters, including in Burma and China.
News Stories – 26 June 2008
Further progress in the Australia-India Relationship
This week's Australia-India Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue highlighted the Government's commitment to enhancing the depth and breadth of the Australia-India relationship and affirmed a large number of new initiatives for bilateral cooperation.
On 23 June Foreign Minister Stephen Smith hosted the fifth Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue in Canberra with Indian Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee. Both Governments recognise there is significant potential for further cooperation across a broad front and are committed to taking the relationship to a new, higher level.
Several Australian ministers are planning to visit India in the second half of the year. Seven Indian Ministers have visited Australia so far this year.
Mr Smith and Mr Mukherjee welcomed the diversification and strengthening of links between Australia and India, noting in particular the importance of cooperation in resources, science and technology and education.
They highlighted the capacity of Australia and India to work together regionally and internationally. Mr Smith reiterated Australia’s support for India’s permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council and APEC membership when the moratorium ends in 2010. Mr Mukherjee welcomed Australia’s bid for a UNSC seat in 2013-14 and supported Australia’s application to become an observer at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
Mr Smith and Mr Mukherjee underlined their governments’ strong support for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. They highlighted the need for comprehensive action to address climate change.
They issued a joint statement which outlined a large number of new initiatives including:
- allocating up to $10 million over the next five years under Australia’s development assistance program to build public sector linkages between the two countries to address policy issues;
- setting up a new bilateral water dialogue;
- establishing a new Australia-India Roundtable;
- an Australia India Council funded training programme for elite Indian women cricketers; and
- a new joint working group on visas, passports and consular matters.
Mr Smith and Mr Mukherjee reiterated that the two governments looked forward to receiving the report of the Joint FTA Feasibility Study Group by the end of 2008. They welcomed the proposal to launch an Australia-India CEOs Forum.
Mr Smith and Mr Mukherjee underlined the importance of enhanced defence and strategic cooperation, welcoming the decision to hold regular talks between the chiefs of defence forces. They reaffirmed the need for Australia and India to work together to fight terrorism, including by stepping up practical cooperation.
Mr Smith and Mr Mukherjee also signed extradition and legal mutual assistance treaties, which will also help combined efforts in the fight against crime.
ABARE: record commodity export earnings in sight
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics (ABARE) latest Australian Commodities report shows that Australia’s commodity export earnings are forecast to increase by 40 per cent to a record $212 billion in 2008-09.
Australia’s commodity export earnings are forecast to increase by 40 per cent to a record $212 billion in 2008-09: this and other commodity forecasts for 2008-09 are contained in the June issue of Australian Commodities released by ABARE.
The strength of Australia’s minerals and energy exports continues to underpin commodity sector performance. The value of Australia’s minerals and energy exports is forecast to be around $178 billion in 2008-09, compared with an estimated $120 billion in 2007-08, following significant rises in 2007-08, further price increases in 2008-09 are forecast for many minerals and energy commodities, including iron ore, coal, crude oil, gold and aluminium.
In addition to higher prices, the volume of Australian mineral resources exports, in aggregate, is forecast to rise markedly. Export earnings from the farm sector are forecast to be around $30 billion in 2008-09, a rise of 12 per cent on 2007-08. Prospects are encouraging, though ABARE has cautioned that seasonal conditions will be a critical factor in achieving those estimates.
Agricultural commodities for which export earnings are forecast to increase in 2008-09 include wheat, barley, canola, pulses, grain sorghum, cotton lint and seed, sugar and wine. It is forecast that there will be a near record area sown to winter crops in 2008-09. Up 65 per cent in 2008-09 to 37 million tonnes and export earnings from these crops are forecast to increase by 66 per cent.
Outcomes from the Jeddah Energy Meeting
Australia is pleased to have been an active participant at the recent Jeddah Energy Meeting.
In response to concerns raised on recent high and volatile global oil prices, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia convened the Jeddah Energy Meeting of Ministers and representatives from many oil producing and consuming countries, as well as oil industry representatives, in Saudi Arabia on 22 June 2008.
Australia was represented by the Hon Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism, who made a presentation at the conference.
Outcomes from the Jeddah Energy Meeting included:
- an agreement to work toward greater stability of global oil markets;
- recognition of the need for more upstream and downstream investment to ensure that the markets are supplied in a timely and adequate manner;
- a call to improve the transparency and regulation of financial markets;
- a commitment to improve the quality, completeness and timeliness of oil data submitted through the monthly Joint Oil Data Initiative (JODI) to help improve market transparency and stability;
- a call for immediate collaboration between the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and International Energy Forum (IEF) to prepare shared analyses on oil market trends and the impact of financial markets on oil prices;
- a commitment to provide assistance to alleviate the consequences of higher oil prices on the least developed countries;
- a call for enhanced cooperation between international, national and service companies from all producing and consuming countries in investment, technology and human resource development;
- and a commitment to promote energy efficiency through passing on market price signals
A working group will be established to pursue these actions and a follow-up conference will be held in London to review progress before the end of the year.
The factors affecting global oil prices can only be solved through international pressure and cooperation, and this meeting represents a very important first step on this front. Australia recognises that the Jeddah Energy Meeting represents the continuation of a long-term dialogue. An international effort will be required to address these important issues and the Australian Government intends to play a constructive role in this process.
In addition to the oil conference, Mr Ferguson met with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce in Jeddah to discuss opportunities for two way investment flows and the diversification of the Saudi economy.
Saudi Arabia is conscious of its international reputation and wants to play a responsible and constructive role in the international community
the Minister also met with officials from the UK and Japan to discuss global oil prices.
News Stories – 19 June 2008
Australia’s commitment to advancing nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament
Australia has announced the establishment of an International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. The Commission offers a chance to re-commit to the ultimate objective of a nuclear weapons-free world and to form a global consensus to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The Commission offers a chance to remind people that despite the end of the Cold War, the threat posed by nuclear weapons has not disappeared.
The NPT is the most significant and successful arms-control instrument of the nuclear age and the cornerstone of the non-proliferation and disarmament regimes, but recently it has been under significant strain as some countries seek to circumvent its controls.
The objective, therefore, of the Commission is to reinvigorate the global effort against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and seek to shape a global consensus in the lead-up to the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
The 2010 Review Conference is an opportunity for Australia and like-minded countries to ensure the treaty continues to provide a robust framework for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Commission will be co-chaired by former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans
Australia will be consulting other governments and international organisations, and seeking the participation of senior international experts in the Commission
Japan has welcomed the initiative, and we are discussing the form of their participation with the Japanese government.
The Commission’s findings will be considered by an Australian-sponsored international conference in late 2009, in preparation for the 2010 NPT Review.
Prime Minister’s visit to Japan
The Australian Government is strongly committed to the relationship with Japan, to strengthening bilateral and trilateral strategic cooperation with Japan, and to furthering our broad-based trade and economic ties with Japan. The relationship with Japan delivers major benefits to Australia.
Prime Minister Rudd made a highly successful bilateral visit to Japan 8-12 June
he visited four cities over four days and met a very wide range of senior politicians, business people, and other members of the Japanese community.
This was the tenth visit to Japan by a member of the Cabinet since the Federal Election – a clear sign of the Government’s commitment to the relationship.
The Prime Minister used the visit to launch a major initiative on nuclear disarmament and reaffirmed continuing cooperation in defence and security, climate change, and in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Japan welcomed Mr Rudd’s proposal for a high-level international commission on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. During the visit, Toyota announced that it would build its hybrid Camry in Australia – a major boost for Australia’s manufacturing industry and a real contribution to addressing climate change.
The two prime ministers agreed to encourage their financial regulatory authorities to have a regular dialogue, which could involve business and others, to discuss financial services – an area of huge commercial opportunity for Australia.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to working towards a comprehensive and mutually-beneficial FTA. Mr Rudd said that Australia would remain a stable supplier of food to Japan.
They agreed to continue to expand bilateral and trilateral strategic cooperation, including in disaster relief. Mr Smith will attend the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue ministerial meeting in Kyoto on 27 June.
They discussed climate change policy ahead of the G8 Summit – in which Australia will participate as an outreach partner. Mr Rudd announced a proposal for a joint climate study of the Antarctic.
These are substantial and substantive outcomes, which reflect the depth of substance in the relationship and the Australian Government’s commitment.
Ours is a quality bilateral relationship which is vitally important to a wide range of Australian interests.
On whaling, the two prime ministers acknowledged the two countries’ clear differences but agreed to use diplomacy to try to find a solution.
Australia and Indonesia: A new era of partnership
Australia and Indonesia have a strong bilateral relationship and are close partners in the region, reflecting our shared interests and commitment to advance cooperation on many issues of importance to both countries.
The Prime Minister made his second visit to Indonesia on 13-14 June.Mr Rudd and President Yudhoyono launched a new development partnership strategy which will provide around $2.5 billion over 5 years to help tackle poverty and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, including $49 million to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women in Indonesia's poorest areas
and announced the Australia-Indonesia Forest Carbon Partnership to establish a framework for long-term cooperation on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Mr Rudd signed Memoranda of Understanding with Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah to provide additional funding of $2.4 million to progress their important work in disaster preparedness. Major initiatives were also announced on democracy and interfaith cooperation and a conference on bilateral relations in 2009.
There have been 11 Ministerial-level visits to Indonesia in the Government's first six months in office.
Mr Rudd and Mr Smith made their first overseas visits as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Indonesia to attend the UN climate change meetings in Bali last December, along with four other Ministers and two Indonesian Ministers have visited Australia.
In February this year, Indonesia's Foreign Minister, Dr Wirajuda and Mr Smith exchanged notes to bring the Australia-Indonesia Framework for Security Cooperation (the Lombok Treaty) into force.
The Treaty provides a framework for expanding bilateral cooperation and exchanges on matters affecting the security of both countries. We intend to hold the next Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum – the peak bilateral consultative forum – later this year to explore further opportunities and initiatives to take forward the bilateral relationship.
Indonesia is Australia's 13th largest trading partner and we are currently exploring options for strengthening the commercial relationship, including examining the merits of a bilateral FTA.
A successful 2008 Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum
As an affirmation of its strong commitment to its relationship with New Zealand, the Australian Government sent its largest-ever Ministerial delegation to the 2008 Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (Wellington, 13-14 June), contributing significantly to the success of this year’s Forum.
Australia shares with New Zealand a relationship of special significance and importance.
We have uniquely close and multifaceted ties across government and business, as well as broader people-to-people links.
It is a priority of the Australian Government to reinvigorate the trans-Tasman relationship given its fundamental importance.
Against this background, Australia sent its largest-ever Ministerial delegation to the 2008 Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF), led by Deputy Prime Minister Gillard and including Trade Minister Crean.
Other members of the Australian Ministerial delegation were: Attorney-General Robert McClelland; Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese; Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law Nick Sherry; and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Duncan Kerr
some 40 leading representatives from Australian business and other spheres also participated.
There was also a very high level of commitment to the Forum on the New Zealand side, from both their Government and business community
Prime Minister Clark addressed the Forum and there was a strong NZ Ministerial presence.
The ANZLF is business-led and was co-chaired this year by Rod McGeoch (Chairman, Sky City) and John Allen (CEO, New Zealand Post). The Forum takes a long-term view of how Australia-New Zealand relationship might evolve in future and recommends ways in which it could be enhanced.
The Australian Government welcomes the ideas generated by Forum participants to deepen trans-Tasman links, including further work to integrate the Australian and New Zealand economies. The ANZLF discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including climate change, demographic trends, and the impacts of a rising China.
New arrangements to provide follow-up between Forum meetings should help maintain the ANZLF’s energy and focus, enhancing the role it can play in carrying the relationship forward.
The Forum thus contributes to continuing productive trans-Tasman dialogue, which will be taken forward in this 25th anniversary year of the Closer Economic Relationship (CER) by a Ministerial meeting to be hosted by Mr Crean in Sydney on 26 July.