News Stories - 11 April 2008

Australia works with NATO and coalition partners to reinforce international commitment to Afghanistan

Australia is firmly committed for the long haul to doing its part in international efforts to support Afghanistan’s stabilisation and development.

The Government’s active involvement in NATO-led operations and planning reflects our firm commitment for the long haul to doing our part in international efforts to support Afghanistan’s stabilisation and development.

Since coming to office the Australian Government has worked hard with its partners to develop a more focused and better coordinated and resourced approach to Afghanistan.

At the Bucharest NATO Summit (3 April), Australia and its partners agreed on a strategy for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that will more effectively focus and integrate military and non-military efforts.

We also welcomed significant new commitments on troop deployments from our ISAF partners, especially France, that will address operation shortfalls and more equitably share the burden on security tasks.

These outcomes represent a critical step forward for international efforts in Afghanistan, and were key objectives for the Australian Government leading into the NATO Summit.

As we move ahead, ISAF and other international partners in Afghanistan, will need to ensure the political-military strategy is fully implemented to ensure stabilisation gains are held.

Australia understands that military commitments are critical – but we also recognise the need to strengthen non-military efforts to secure stabilisation gains.

Australia has contributed $450 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance since 2001 (including announcement in Bucharest of $10 million for de-mining).

We will be expanding our policing support, including for counter-narcotics, in the coming months.

Additional Australian Support for Cambodia

Australia is continuing to assist Cambodia strengthen its democratic processes through support for national elections in 2008 and further assistance to support processes of accountability through the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. The Chambers will conduct the trials of senior Khmer Rouge leaders most responsible for crimes against humanity in 1975-79.

These announcements were made during a visit to Cambodia by the Honourable Bob McMullan, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance.

Australia will contribute $570,000 to support voter education and civic participation in the lead up to the Cambodia National Assembly elections in July 2008
funding will be provided through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Australia will work with other international donors to support the administration of the July 2008 election.

Additionally, Australia is also working with the UN to ensure all eligible Cambodians are registered to vote and encourage independent news reporting and broadcasting time for political party campaigns.

Australia has provided assistance for Cambodia's democratic elections since 1992. Australia will provide additional support for the Cambodian side of the budget of Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

Australia welcomes progress by the Chambers in 2007, with five suspects under detention. it will provide an additional $500,000 to support the Cambodian side of the process. It has contributed $3.8 million overall support to the trials since 2003.

News Stories - 4 April 2008

Australia’s Candidacy for a United Nations Non-Permanent Security Council Seat

Australia will seek election to the United Nations (UN) Security Council in 2012 for the 2013-14 term. The decision to stand for election reflects the Government’s commitment to increase Australia’s engagement with the UN.

On 29 March 2008, after meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that Australia would be a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Security Counci. This is an important aspect of the Government’s commitment to increase Australia’s engagement with the UN.

It is natural that Australia, which has not been on the Council since 1986, should aspire to another term on the world’s pre-eminent security body.

As a creative middle power, Australia is committed to helping address the serious global challenges facing today’s world, such as climate change, conflict prevention, terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The Security Council plays a critical role in addressing many of these challenges.

Australia is keenly committed to the multilateral system as a key factor in enhancing global security and economic well-being. We are confident that Australia can make a positive and sustained contribution to the work of the Security Council in 2013-14.

The Enduring Importance of the Australia-Japan Relationship

Australia attaches high priority to its relationship with Japan; five Cabinet Ministers have visited Japan since November 2007 and the Prime Minister is expected to make visits in June and July this year.

Japan is Australia’s closest partner in Asia. Our relationship is at an historically high level of substance and intimacy.

There have already been visits by five Cabinet Ministers to Japan since November 2007. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to visit Japan in early June for a bilateral visit and again in July to attend the G8 Summit.

This underlines the high priority Australia attaches to the relationship with Japan.
Japan is the world’s second largest economy in market exchange rate terms; the third largest in purchasing parity power terms. It accounts for half the total economic output of East Asia.

Strong, mutually beneficial economic links are at the core of the relationship. Japan has been Australia’s largest export market for 40 years. Merchandise exports in 2007 were worth $31.8 billion, almost as much as the value of merchandise exports to China and the United States combined goods and services trade with Japan delivers Australia its largest bilateral trade surplus: $13.8 billion in 2007.

Japan is Australia’s third largest source of investment with a total stock of $51 billion at the end of 2006; Japanese investment has been essential in the development of many of Australia’s export industries.

A comprehensive, WTO-plus free trade agreement with Japan remains a priority for Australia; the Government is actively pursuing that goal and has held four rounds of negotiations so far, the fifth round is to be held at the end of April in Canberra.

Defence and security cooperation is an increasingly important part of the relationship the Australian Government is actively implementing the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation with Japan and the associated Action Plan
Australian and Japanese defence forces have worked together in relief and peace-keeping operations in Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq and in response to the Asian tsunami bilateral security ties also enable closer trilateral strategic cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States.

Archived News Stories

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7 February 2008