The protection and safety of Australians is our highest priority.

Mr Todd Mercer will serve as Australia’s next Ambassador to Chile.

Ms Jo Cowley has today been announced as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Mr Remo Moretta will serve as Australia’s next Ambassador to Mexico.

The Hon Barry O’Farrell AO will serve as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of India.

Foreign backpackers and others on working holiday visas will be able to help bushfire-affected communities get back on their feet.

The Government welcomes new research which demonstrates the important role of arts and culture in driving domestic tourism.

We are looking for applications that help countries maximise the benefits of digital trade in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

New export opportunities for Australian farmers and businesses will begin to flow from today with Australia’s free trade deal with Peru.

Continuing to boost trade links in the Pacific will be a major focus at this week’s Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in Fiji.

The Government is backing tourist towns in fire-affected regions through a $10 million tourism events and visitor attractions initiative.

The Australian Government is pleased to confirm the second flight to assist the departure of Australians from Wuhan has arrived in Darwin.

Australia has posted a record trade surplus for the 2019 calendar year, highlighting the importance of our export sector to the nation’s economy.

The UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, MP, will visit Australia on the 6th and 7th of February.

Australia is deeply grateful to Indonesia for their commitment to send over 30 military engineers to support Australia’s bushfire response.

The Government has decided not to require a contribution for assisted departures from Wuhan.

The National Security Committee of Cabinet met again today to consider new and urgent information regarding the novel coronavirus situation.

A lot can happen in 48 years. It’s far longer than many marriages last. So perhaps it shouldn’t come as a great surprise that 48 years since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community they will today leave the European Union.

Australia welcomes the release of the US “Vision for Peace” by President Trump.

The Government is working to assist the departure of Australians from Wuhan and to put strict quarantine arrangements in place.

Local businesses and event planners are being urged to hold major conferences and events in Australia this year, to support Australia’s tourism industry.

Australia, Japan and Singapore hosted an informal meeting of Ministers on the WTO electronic commerce negotiations in Switzerland.

Today we mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The Australian Government is deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the United States to Australia’s bushfire response.

The Government acknowledges the concerns of Australians who are in Hubei Province in China and the concerns of their families and friends.

We are mourning the three American firefighters who died in the Large Air Tanker crash in the Snowy Monaro area today.

On the 20th of January 2020, the sixth annual Australia-China High Level Dialogue will be held in Sydney.

Tourism businesses and fire-affected communities will receive much needed support from the Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

More opportunities for Australian businesses and farmers with the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement entering into force.

Australia’s tourism sector demonstrated strong growth in the year to September 2019.

Minister Payne will hold talks with the Government of India to further strengthen our bilateral relationship and take part in the Raisina Dialogue.

Australia thanks PNG for its support to Australia’s emergency bushfire response through the provision of military personnel.

Australia congratulates Dr Tsai Ing-wen and her party on her re-election in Taiwan’s elections held on 11 January 2020.

Australia is deeply grateful for the generous offer to support the response through the provision of troops from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

Ministers at the dialogue shared the view that the Special Strategic Partnership between Australia and Japan has never been stronger.

Following the missile attacks carried out by Iran against military sites in Iraq today, Minister Payne confirms DFAT team is safe.

Australian farmers and businesses will continue to reap the benefits of our free trade agreements with new tariff cuts in major export markets.

Australia has today ratified its free trade agreements with Indonesia, Hong Kong and Peru.

Two new Australian diplomatic missions — the Australian Embassy in Palau and the Australian High Commission in Cook Islands.

Ms Heidi Venamore is appointed as Australia’s next Ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mr Jeremy Bruer is appointed as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Ms Sarah de Zoeten is appointed as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Vanuatu.

Mr Arthur Spyrou is appointed as Australia’s next Ambassador to Greece - also accredited to Bulgaria and Romania.

Minister Payne announces the appointment of Dr Lachlan Strahan as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.

Mr Pablo Kang is appointed as Australia’s next Ambassador to Cambodia.

Minister Payne and Minister Reynolds are hosting the fourth Australia-Republic of Korea Foreign and Defence Ministers meeting in Sydney.

Australia’s Tourism sector continues to provide a major boost to regional Australia, according to the new data released today by the Government.