Labor’s Foreign Policy: Tanya Plibersek Speech To Lowy Institute

May 31, 2016

The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tanya Plibersek, has addressed the Lowy Institute on the ALP’s approach to foreign policy.

Plibersek’s theme was Australia’s national interest and good international citizenship.

Her speech dealt with Australia’s role in the Asian region, the ANZUS alliance, engagement with international forums, and foreign aid.

  • Listen to Plibersek (55m)
  • Watch Plibersek (56m)

Transcript of ALP Shadow Foreign Minister Tanya Plibersek’s speech to the Lowy Institute. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Federal Election, A.L.P., ANZUS, Asia, Audio, Foreign Aid, Trade, Whitlam Tagged With: ,

Abbott Government Cuts $650 Million From Foreign Aid

Jan 18, 2014

The Abbott government has announced $650 million of cuts to Australia’s foreign aid program.

BishopThe Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, said the government will cut $61 million from the Pacific region. Only Nauru, which houses around a thousand asylum seekers on behalf of Australia, will be exempt.

Other cuts include $59 million from Indonesia, $71 million from South and West Asia, $113 million from Africa and the Middle East, and $5.3 million from Latin America and the Carribean.

Figures released by Bishop show that Australia spent $3,747 million ($3.7 billion) in aid in 2012-13. The Gillard government’s budget increased this to $4,223.5 million for 2013-14. The Abbott government will reduce this to $3,598 million this financial year, a reduction of $625 million and $149 million less than last year’s actual spending. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Asia, Audio, Foreign Aid, Indonesia, Video Tagged With:

Stott Despoja, Former Democrats Leader, Appointed Ambassador For Women And Girls

Dec 16, 2013

The Abbott government has appointed the former leader of the Australian Democrats, Natasha Stott Despoja, as the next Ambassador for Women and Girls.

Stott Despoja

In announcing the appointment, the Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said “gender empowerment is a priority for the Australian Government’s overseas development program”. She said it was the government’s wish “to be at the forefront of efforts to promote the empowerment of women and girls, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region”. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Audio, Australian Democrats, Foreign Aid, Women Tagged With: , , ,

Tony Abbott’s Weary Dunlop Speech To AsiaLink

Dec 05, 2013

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has given a wide-ranging speech about Australia’s relationship with Asia.

Abbott delivered the Weary Dunlop lecture to AsiaLink in Melbourne.

Abbott

He reiterated his earlier remarks that his approach to foreign policy would have a “Jakarta not Geneva” focus.

In the speech, Abbott discussed Australia’s relationship with Indonesia, India and China. He touched on foreign aid, international students and the study of Asian languages in Australian schools. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, ANZUS, Asia, Audio, China, Foreign Aid, Indonesia, Trade, Video Tagged With: , , ,
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