Feature stories - May 2011
Two bites at the Doha cherry
27 May 2011
Trade Minister Craig Emerson chaired a meeting of twenty key members of the World Trade Organization to discuss the Doha round of global trade negotiations in Paris on 26 May. Ministers affirmed that the round was alive and agreed to press ahead in seeking its successful conclusion.
Media release: OECD Trade Ministers' meeting open to taking two bites at the Doha cherry
Photo: Dr Emerson with Pascal Lamy, Director-General, WTO
World Food Programme Youth Representative
25 May 2011
Jessica Watson, 2011 Young Australian of the Year is officially welcomed as a World Food Programme (WFP) Youth Representative by Mr Abdullah, Deputy Executive Director WFP and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.
Remarks at the official welcome of Jessica Watson as WFP Youth Representative
Foreign Minister visit to China
23 May 2011
“If we think the changes of the past 30 years have been dramatic, they are only a foretaste of what is to come. I want to reflect on what this means for the Australia-China economic relationship. It's what I call Australia-China 2.0”.
Articles and op-ed: Moving business beyond Beijing
APEC 2011
19 May 2011
Trade Minister Dr Craig Emerson is attending the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Big Sky Montana, USA.
Meetings with eight other parties to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) also took place.
Media release: Trade Ministers meet to discuss TPP progress
Parliamentary Secretary visit to Tonga
19 May 2011
Richard Marles attended the 2011 Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers' Meeting in Tonga.
The Australian Government also provided $1 million to Tonga to support frontline health and education workers.
Media release: Pacific Trade Ministers progress trade talks
Media release: Australia helps keep Tonga healthy
Foreign Minister visit to Sweden
18 May 2011
Foreign Minister Rudd is in Sweden as part of a visit to Scandanavia, where he is meeting with his counterparts to discuss enhancing aid effectiveness, international security and climate change
Speech: Global implications of the Asia-Pacific century. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Australia Awards scholarship scheme
13 May 2011
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd launched the Australia Awards scholarship scheme at Customs House, University of Queensland.
Media release: Australia Awards enhance Australia's world class education reputation
More about Australia Awards
Budget 2011-12
10 May 2011
Media release: Promoting and protecting Australia's interests abroad
Media release: 2011-12 International Development Assistance Budget
Ministerial Statement: Australia's International Development Assistance Program
Further details: www.budget.gov.au
Australia back into trade surplus
10 May 2011
Australia posted a higher-than-expected trade surplus of $1.7 billion in March, reversing the small deficit recorded in the previous month, according to figures released today.
Trade Minister Craig Emerson welcomed the solid result.
Media release: Australia back into trade surplus
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) business mission to Queensland
9 May 2011
Kevin Rudd and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh welcomed a business and investment mission from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to Queensland demonstrating that Queensland was back in business.
Media release: Abu Dhabi and Qld to build 10 Cat-5 multi-purpose cyclone shelters
Foreign Minister visits Washington DC
4 May 2011
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is visiting Washington DC and has held meetings with US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton. He has also spoken about building long-term peace and stability in East Asia & the Pacific.
Transcript: Remarks after meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Speech: Australian Foreign Policy and the Asia Pacific Century