The ministers have written of their desire to “find every possible way to advance shared interests”. But this should stop short of following the US down its hostile path with China.
In a Tuesday night speech titled “Australia and the world in the time of COVID-19”, Marise Payne has called for reform of multilateral institutions, including the World Health Organisation.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been held in Iran’s notorious Evin prison for more than a year.
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Surely the time has come to shift gears and ramp up the public pressure on both Australian diplomats and Iranian politicians to secure the academic’s release.
Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, but China has released no details of the allegations to date.
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The espionage allegation against the Australian writer comes against a backdrop of rising trade and political tensions – and the Australian government’s response is hardening.
The Chinese government has reacted sharply to Australia’s pressure on Yang with a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry saying: “Australia should respect China’s judicial sovereignty”.
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As the Australian government continues to pressure China over Yang Hengjun’s formal arrest, Yang has appealed to Scott Morrison to please “help me go home as soon as possible”.
Dr Yang has been held in Beijing under harsh conditions, without access to lawyers or family for more than seven months before being formally arrested.
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Outspoken Australian-Chinese democracy advocate Dr Yang Hengjun has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of spying, further straining relations between the two countries.
Julie Bishop and Marise Payne have risen to the top in foreign affairs, but their successes may be masking more systemic issues preventing women from advancement.
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A new report has found a major gender gap persists in Australia’s diplomatic, defence and intelligence fields. Australia needs good ideas, and we cannot assume they will all come from the same place.
The economics of countries in the Indian Ocean region are rapidly growing.
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Around 80% of the world’s maritime oil trade passes through the Indian Ocean. And the economic and political might of the region is growing.
After a positive start, Morrison’s relations with his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, cooled off after he suggested moving the Australian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has a busy summit season ahead of him. After early foreign policy stumbles, it’s important he reads his briefs, listens to the diplomats and stays humble.
A diplomatic thaw has occurred between Australia and China, as Foreign Minister Marise Payne meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
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Marise Payne this week became the first Australian foreign minister to visit China in three years – another indication that the frost in the relationship is thawing.
Morrison will need to rely heavily on the experience of his new foreign minister, Marise Payne, and deputy leader, Josh Frydenberg.
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Morrison has his work cut out for him restoring Australia’s reputation for good governance overseas and repairing relations with China.
In his role overseeing Operation Sovereign Borders, Campbell was known for his tight lips in face of questions, often ruling them out as “on water” matters.
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The changes are designed to assist in preparing for incidents, enabling a more comprehensive ADF response if needed, and improving the flow of information between the ADF and police.
Dennis Richardson has served more than 48 years in the public service and seen a dozen prime ministers.
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The Australia-Japan foreign and defence ministers’ ‘two-plus-two’ talks, due to be held in Japan before Christmas, are being deferred because of Marise Payne’s recent illness.
Female ministers and assistant ministers pose with Malcolm Turnbull after a swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Tuesday.
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Before the election Malcolm Turnbull had no trouble calling himself a feminist but now his party has had its woman problem highlighted by the result. There will only be 13 women among the 60 (assuming…
If Tony Abbott is disappointed by the failure to choose Japan to build Australia’s new submarines, the only one he can blame is himself.
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Like oil and water, party politics and good defence policy are presumed not to mix. And the process to buy Australia’s next fleet of submarines has been all about party politics.
The new defence white paper marks a return to seriousness in its approach to spending.
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