Today I announce the appointment of Ms Gillian Bird PSM as Australia’s new Ambassador to France. Ms Bird will also be accredited to Algeria, Mauritania and Monaco.

Minister Payne announces the appointment of Mr Luke Williams as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Kenya.

Mr Philip Green OAM will serve as Australia’s new Ambassador to Germany.

Ms Erika Thompson will be Australia’s new Ambassador to Colombia.

Millions of Australian mangoes will soon be on their way to key export markets around the world, thanks to support from IFAM.

The Morrison-McCormack Government has today released a new pitch to attract more investment in critical minerals projects and greenfield opportunities, as Australia continues to elevate itself as a leading source and exporter of critical minerals.

Third EU-Australia Joint Committee reconfirms strong bilateral links and highlights avenues for further strengthened cooperation.

Following an invitation from India, Australia will participate in Exercise MALABAR 2020.

The Governments of the Republic of Vanuatu and Australia are pleased to be working in partnership to establish the Pacific Fusion Centre permanently in Port Vila.

The Australian Government is facilitating additional commercial flights from the United Kingdom, India and South Africa to help more Australians return amid the unprecedented travel disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trade and prosperity in the Pacific will thrive following formal notification that Cook Islands is the eighth state to ratify the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus), triggering its formal entry into force in 60 days.

The Australian Government is deeply disappointed by Russia’s decision to withdraw from the trilateral talks with the Netherlands regarding its role in the downing of MH17 on 17 July 2014.

Australia is proud of our consistent and strong record in promoting and protecting human rights as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC).

This is the sixth and final report under the 2014 performance framework for the development program.

Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs met virtually with regional counterparts for the annual Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' meeting.

The Government is disappointed and deeply concerned that Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian citizen and academic Dr Yang Hengjun (Dr Yang Jun).

Trade opportunities across the Pacific will be boosted with formal notification today that Cook Islands has ratified the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus).

Aussies are being urged to plan and book a COVID-safe holiday in different parts of Australia as part of a new domestic tourism push.

The Government is ensuring Australia remains an attractive destination for tourists, and temporary visa holders who often fill critical skills shortages, by offering refunds or waivers of Visa Application Charges (VAC).

Australia joins the Government and people of the Republic of Fiji in celebrating 50 years of Fiji’s independence.

Australia has been informed that the Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian citizen Dr Yang Hengjun on charges yet to be announced.

Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, will visit Singapore from 8-9 October.

Minister Payne met the Foreign Minister of Japan, the External Affairs Minister of India and the Secretary of State of the United States for the second Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

As part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Australia, the 2020-21 Budget continues the Government’s commitment to delivering for all Australians.

The Government is continuing to support trade, tourism and investment in the 2020-21 Budget as part of Australia’s Economic Recovery Plan to get more Australians into jobs.

Australia congratulates the people of New Caledonia on their second act of self-determination under the Noumea Accord on 4 October 2020.

Foreign Minister Payne announces the appointment of Mr Philip Chronican to the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations Advisory Board for a two-year term.

Mr Paul Griffiths will serve as Australia’s next Ambassador to Israel.

Mr Will Nankervis will serve as Australia’s new Ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Ms Tiffany McDonald will serve as Australia’s new High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam.

Foreign Minister Payne announces the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Ward as Australia’s next Consul-General in Hong Kong.

Mr Bruce Edwards will serve as Australia’s next Ambassador to Ukraine. Mr Edwards will also be accredited to Moldova.

Foreign Minister Payne will visit Japan from 5-7 October for the second Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Quad.

The Australian Government is establishing a Safe Travel Zone with New Zealand.

The Australian Government’s tourism support and recovery plans will be critical to the rebound of our tourism industry.

Australia is concerned by the renewed fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan around the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Tasmania will receive $7.46 million for iconic heritage and wilderness projects around the state as part of the Morrison Government’s $61.7 million budget spending on environmental restoration and recovery measures through the $1 billion COVID Relief Fund.

The Australian Government is building a more secure, resilient Australia with a $61.7 million investment in our environment, through the $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.

As of 1 October 2020, the Online Sanctions Administration System (OSAS) has been replaced by the new Australian sanctions platform, Pax.

The experience of being a New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholar brings with it a multitude of new opportunities, but not everything will always goes the way you may have planned, as some of our alumni attest.

Innovative exporters and investors from across Australia will be celebrated in a recognition program that will highlight the incredible resilience shown by Australian businesses this year. 

Senior officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met by videoconference with representatives from the foreign ministries of India, Japan and the United States on 25 September for Quad consultations on the Indo-Pacific.

The Australian Government is nominating Dr Robert Floyd as Australia's candidate for Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive-Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBTO).

Australia and Papua New Guinea share a longstanding mutually beneficial relationship, reaffirmed by the PNG-Australian Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP). Australia is concerned about the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation in PNG and is providing significant support for PNG’s response.

Australia will expand our COVID-19 regional development pivot with additional support for Southeast Asia’s health security, stability and economic recovery.

Our thoughts are with Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert and her family on the second anniversary of her detention in Iran.

The Australian Government acknowledges the distress of the family and friends of those missing since the capsizing of Gulf Livestock I on 2 September. 

Afghan Army deserter Hekmatullah, who murdered three off-duty Australian soldiers in 2012 in a cold-blooded crime of betrayal, is being transferred to a detention facility in Qatar by the Government of Afghanistan.

Thousands of jobs across the tourism and hospitality industry will be backed through a $50 million injection to help restart Australia's vital business events sector.

Australia and Germany have signed a new agreement to promote two-way trade and investment in hydrogen produced from renewable energy.