Bipartisan visit to Vanuatu, The Federated States of Micronesia and Palau

Joint media release with: Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and The Pacific, Minister for Defence Industry The Hon Michael Mccormack MP, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific 11 December 2022 This week we will travel to Vanuatu, the Federated States…

Human Rights Day

Today we recognise Human Rights Day and mark the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly. Human Rights Day proclaims the necessity of the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being. As one of the eight nations to draft the declaration, Australia has…

Targeted sanctions welcomed

Joint media release: Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Countering Foreign Interference Senator Claire Chandler, Assistant Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs   The Coalition strongly welcomes today’s application of targeted sanctions by the Australian Government against certain individuals responsible for horrific human rights abuses.   The Magnitsky-style sanctions applied upon 13 individuals…

Appointment of ASIS Director-General

Joint media release The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Leader of the Opposition The Coalition welcomes the appointment of Ms Kerri Hartland as Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS). With an eminent and distinguished career in the Australian Public Service and the private sector, Ms Hartland is well-placed to deliver the national security leadership…

Anniversary of Australia’s first Magnitsky-style sanctions

Joint media release: Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Countering Foreign Interference Senator Claire Chandler, Assistant Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs   Today, one year has passed since Australia’s Magnitsky-style and other thematic sanctions laws came into effect.   The new laws, passed by the Coalition with bipartisan support, enable Australia to…

Falling on their own sword

Ending what has been a sorry saga, the Coalition welcomes the Albanese Government’s backflip to reinstate the fourth Estimates week in the Parliamentary Sitting Calendar for 2023. The attempt to axe a week of Senate estimates would never have happened in the first place if the Albanese Government was genuine in its claimed belief in…