News Stories – 18 December 2008
WTO Members need to re-engage early in 2009 to agree Doha modalities
Australia is disappointed that WTO trade ministers will not meet in December to agree modalities on agriculture and industrial products in the WTO Doha Round. Trade ministers must re-engage early in 2009 to finalise the Doha package, particularly given the importance G20 and APEC Leaders have attached to this issue as part of the international response to the global financial crisis.
Australia is disappointed that WTO ministers will not meet this month to agree modalities on agriculture and industrial products in the WTO Doha Round.
Trade ministers must re-engage early next year to finalise the Doha package. G20 and APEC Leaders have attached high importance to the Doha Round as part of the international response to the global financial crisis.
Concluding Doha would inject confidence at a time of uncertainty in the global economy and assist in the global economic recovery would also help to alleviate poverty and improve global food security.
New revised texts in the key areas of agriculture and industrial products (non-agricultural market access or NAMA) were released in Geneva on 6 December.
The texts usefully capture progress made since the July Ministerial meeting, but three issues in particular require further convergence.
NAMA sectorals, i.e. negotiations at the sectoral level for further industrial tariff cuts; the agriculture Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM), i.e. a mechanism for developing countries to put in place additional duties on all agricultural products; and cotton, specifically the cap on US and EC cotton subsidies.
Australia supports the resumption of the negotiations early in 2009 to close the gaps and progress other issues on the Doha agenda.
News Stories - 9 December 2008
60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
10 December 2008 Human Rights Day, marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Australia has a long tradition of protecting and promoting human rights. The current Government is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights internationally and domestically.
Australia has a long and proud history of involvement in the promotion and protection of universal human rights through the United Nations.
On 10 December 1948, Australia joined 47 other nations to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The UDHR gives global expression to the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled, and provides a standard to which all nations can be held to account.
Australia today is continuing to promote and protect human rights including through positive engagement with the UN human rights system, such as issuing a standing invitation to UN human rights experts to visit Australia, welcoming the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and funding human rights activities of OHCHR, UNICEF and other UN agencies, such as the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations delivering practical initiatives to promote human rights, including through a dedicated Human Rights Fund for bilateral and regional activities.
The Australian Government is lifting its development assistance efforts in key areas such as health, basic education, water, sanitation, the environment and adaptation to climate change, demonstrated by the Government’s strong commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, reflected in its pledge to lift Australia’s overseas aid to 0.5 per cent of gross national income by 2015
and the development of a new strategy for a disability-inclusive aid program.
At home the Australian Government is committed to advancing human rights, including by committing to new human rights instruments where appropriate.
This year we became party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; have recently lodged our instrument of accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women; and have begun steps to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Demonstrating a willingness to consider appropriate changes to laws to implement our human rights obligations better. For example, the recent removal of discrimination against same-sex couples and their children.
Committing to advancing the welfare of Indigenous communities by addressing Indigenous disadvantage practically and symbolically, including through a National Apology to the Indigenous peoples of Australia.
News Stories - 5 December 2008
NATIONAL SECURITY STATEMENT
Release of Inaugural National Security Statement
The Prime Minister’s inaugural National Security Statement outlines initiatives to improve Australia’s national security policy advice, coordination and governance. It is a key part of the Government’s reform agenda to build a more secure Australia, and addresses emerging challenges Australia may face in the 21st Century.
On Thursday 4 December Prime Minister Kevin Rudd presented to Parliament Australia’s inaugural National Security Statement (NSS) outlining initiatives to improve national security policy advice, coordination and governance.
The NSS is a key part of the Government’s reform agenda to build a more secure Australia, and addresses some of the emerging challenges Australia may face in an increasingly complex and interconnected security environment.
The NSS addresses the recommendations made to the Government earlier this year by Mr Ric Smith AO, PSM in his Homeland and Border Security Review. The Government has decided to:
- not develop a Department of Homeland Security, instead, the Government has appointed for the first time a National Security Adviser, Mr Duncan Lewis AO, to provide a new level of leadership, direction and coordination to our national security agencies;
- create a strategic policy framework to set priorities, allocate resources and evaluate performance;
- create a National Intelligence Coordination Committee with responsibility for foreign, defence, security, and law enforcement intelligence;
- enhance our national crisis management capabilities, including consideration of a new Crisis Coordination Centre; and
- create an amalgamated and enhanced Customs and Border Protection Command to meet Australia’s complex current and future border challenges.
The NSS defines some of the national security challenges Australia faces as:
- the implications of a global shift in power to the Asia-Pacific region;
- the build-up of military capability in our region;
- international and potentially home-grown terrorism;
- the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
- intra-state conflict;
- fragile states;
- trans-national crime;
- cyber-crime and cyber-espionage;
- pandemics; and
- the security implications of climate change and energy security.
The Government’s national security priorities are:
- improving coordination of national security policy;
- implementing the recommendations of the Smith Review;
- enhancing ADF capabilities;
- strengthening the US alliance;
- strengthening cooperation with regional partners;
- promoting an Asia Pacific community;
- actively pursuing nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;
- economic development in the South-west Pacific to underpin security;
- enhancing Australia’s e-security capability; and
- incorporating climate change and energy security implications into national security decision making.
The government will pursue its national security agenda in accordance with the following enduring principles:
- Australia will seek, wherever possible, to develop self reliance across the range of relevant national security capabilities to ensure an effective contribution to our own security – and to the security of our friends and allies.
- The United States alliance remains fundamental to Australia’s national security interests – both globally and in the Asia-Pacific region.
- As our security is linked inextricably to the security of our region, regional engagement is crucial. This includes strengthening our bilateral relationships and effective engagement in regional institutions. It also means seeking to positively influence the shape of the future regional architecture in a manner that develops a culture of security policy cooperation rather than defaults to any assumption that conflict is somehow inevitable.
- At the global level, we are committed to multilateral institutions, and in particular the United Nations, to promote a rules-based international order that enhances our security and economy. We believe those that share the benefits of these systems must also share the responsibilities of supporting and enhancing them.
- National security policy must also be advanced through the agency of creative middle power diplomacy – an active foreign policy capable of identifying opportunities to promote our security and to otherwise prevent, reduce or delay the emergence of national security challenges.
- Australia must also apply a risk-based approach to assessing, prioritising and resourcing our national security policy across the defence, diplomatic, intelligence and wider national security community.
- The Commonwealth must work in partnership with state and territory governments where our national security responsibilities coincide or necessarily complement each other in an increasingly interconnected operational environment.
Australia’s economy continues to grow
Australia’s economy grows at a modest rate in the face of negative growth being experienced in many advanced economies around the world.
Australia recorded modest growth in GDP of 0.1 per cent in the September quarter to be 1.9 per cent higher through the year. This is a positive result compared with the negative growth being experienced in many advanced economies around the world. The slowing of the Australian economy in the September quarter showed that it is not immune from the global economic slowdown, but is better-placed than other nations to weather the storm.
A range of key economic data were announced this week, including:
- National Accounts figures which showed that the Australian economy grew by 0.1 per cent in the September quarter, reflecting:
- strong growth in the agriculture sector, which grew by 15 per cent in the quarter following improved rainfall in some areas of the country; and
- continuing strong growth in business investment, including in infrastructure projects and new mines.
Balance of Payments figures, which showed a 31 per cent fall in the current account deficit in the September quarter to $9.7 billion or 3.2 per cent of GDP
the lowest current account deficit (as a proportion of GDP) since the March quarter of 2002.
Trade figures for October which showed Australia recording a trade surplus of $2.95 billion, the highest on record.
Exports grew by 7 per cent to a record $28.1 billion, with the value of resource exports rising 14 per cent to $12.8 billion and rural exports rose 13 per cent to $2.6 billion.
The Government has said it is committed to taking whatever action is necessary to strengthen growth and limit the impact of the global slowdown on Australia
including the announcement of a $10.4 billion Economic Security Strategy, a $15.1 billion Council of Australian Governments stimulatory package and a $300 million local community infrastructure package.
In addition, the Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the official cash rate by 300 basis points since September to 4.25 per cent, including by 100 basis points at its December meeting this week.
Australia's Clean Energy Technology Capability
Clean energy technologies will play a critical role in moving to a low emissions future while meeting increasing energy demand. Australia is making a world leading contribution to the development of low emissions coal technologies and renewable energy.
Australia is committed to developing low emissions coal technologies involving Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which have the potential to achieve large cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from expanding fossil fuel use.
In September 2008, the Prime Minister announced that Australia would take a leadership role in developing a Global CCS Initiative and committed $100 million per annum to establish a Global CCS Institute.
These efforts are designed to facilitate and support the concerted international effort that is needed to accelerate the development of CCS. Plans are in train to launch the Global CCS Institute in January 2009, with international headquarters in Australia.
The Australian Government has established and provided $500 million to the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative (NLECI).
The NLECI includes: medium scale demonstration projects; a national low emissions coal research program; and a national plan to develop carbon dioxide storage sites and associated pipeline infrastructure.
To accelerate the uptake of the broad range of renewable energy technologies, the Australian Government has also allocated $435 million to a Renewable Energy Demonstration Program (REDP), which will support large scale renewable energy demonstration and deployment projects in Australia.
Australia is developing the capability to harness geothermal energy from hot, fractured rocks, up to five kilometres underground, the energy potential of hot rocks in Australia is enormous, dwarfing Australia's current energy consumption
the technology to harness geothermal energy from hot rocks is not yet proven, but the Government is providing $50 million for the drilling of geothermal wells for proof-of-concept development.
Australia has a world class solar energy resource. the Government is providing $100 million for research and development on concentrating solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies, to be delivered through an Australian Solar Institute.