Diplomatic Appointments

The Albanese Government has today announced a number of important diplomatic appointments and I wish all of those appointed well in their new postings. None is more important than the appointment of Australia’s new Ambassador to the United States of America, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Over the years Australia’s Ambassador in Washington has been…

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Foreign Minister visit to China

The Coalition welcomes the visit Australia’s Foreign Minister will make to the People’s Republic of China. Engagement between governments is essential to advance areas of mutual interest and to manage differences. It was always counterproductive for the Chinese Government to cease ministerial dialogue for a period of time and the resumption of face-to-face dialogue has…

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Removal of Iran from UN Commission on Women

Joint media release: Senator Claire Chandler, Assistant Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs The Coalition welcomes the removal of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Claire Chandler, has led the push in Australia for Iran’s removal from the commission.…

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Australia and Vanuatu deepen security ties

Joint media release: The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Shadow Minsiter for International Development and the Pacific   The Coalition welcomes today’s signing of a treaty-level Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) between Australia and Vanuatu. The BSA underpins the deep and longstanding relationship between our two countries and recognises our shared security interests. Our region is at…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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