This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles in Malaysia and Philippines to strengthen defence ties; Wong condemns Israel’s decision to revoke visas for Australian diplomats in Gaza; Wong in Hanoi for 7th Viet Nam–Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and more.
On 20 August, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles announced he will travel to Malaysia and the Philippines this week to strengthen defence ties. While in Malaysia, the Deputy Prime Minister will take part in the 5th Malaysia-Australia High Level Committee on Defence Cooperation with Malaysia’s Minister of Defence, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin. As states in the media release, “Australia and Malaysia are longstanding partners and friends. Our shared military history, including through the Five Power Defence Arrangements, underscores our commitment to a peaceful and stable region.” Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Marles will participate in the the 2nd Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Philippine Secretary of National Defense, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. “During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will also visit Australian personnel taking part in Exercise Alon 25, Australia’s largest overseas joint training activity this year.”
In Kuala Lumpur on 21 August, Marles co-chaired the 5th Malaysia–Australia High Level Committee Meeting with Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin. There, the two reaffirmed defence cooperation as a “fundamental pillar” of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The ministers highlighted milestones in bilateral ties, including 80 years since the end of World War II, 75 years since Australian support during the Malayan Emergency, and 70 years of diplomatic presence. They commended progress under the Malaysia–Australia Joint Defence Programme, including training, exercises, and education, and welcomed Australia’s support for upgrades to the RMAF Butterworth Air Base. Operation GATEWAY, now in its 45th year, was reaffirmed as central to regional security, alongside commitments to pursue a Security of Information Arrangement and expand defence industry collaboration. The two countries reiterated support for ASEAN centrality and the Five Power Defence Arrangements, with Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025 to feature Australia’s F-35 Lightning IIs and a UK-hosted FPDA VVIP Day on HMS Prince of Wales. They voiced concern over South China Sea tensions, stressed adherence to UNCLOS, and underlined cooperation on cyber, maritime security, and counter-terrorism. Marles also thanked Malaysia for its leadership as ASEAN Chair, including efforts to mediate a Cambodia–Thailand border ceasefire, and welcomed the next HLC meeting to be held in Australia.
On 18 August, Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined Minister for Women Katy Gallagher to announce the appointment of Michelle O’Byrne as Australia’s next Ambassador for Gender Equality. The role will advance efforts to “end gender-based violence, promote economic equality and inclusive trade, support women’s participation in climate and humanitarian action, and champion women’s leadership across the Indo-Pacific.” O’Byrne, who served as Member for Bass in both the Tasmanian House of Assembly (2006–2025) and the Australian Parliament (1998–2004), has held ministerial portfolios spanning women’s affairs, family violence prevention, education, and workplace relations. Her advocacy contributed to the decriminalisation of abortion in Tasmania, the introduction of safe access zones around clinics, and reforms addressing family violence. The ministers thanked outgoing Ambassador Stephanie Copus Campbell AM for advancing Australia’s gender equality priorities since 2023.
Also on 18 August, Wong joined Attorney-General Michelle Rowland to announce the appointment of Jane Duke as Australia’s next Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking. The role will “drive international cooperation” and strengthen regional responses, including through Australia’s co-chairing of the Bali Process, the leading forum addressing people smuggling, trafficking, and related crimes. A senior DFAT officer, Duke has previously served as Consul-General in Los Angeles, Ambassador to ASEAN in Jakarta, Deputy Head of Mission in Kuala Lumpur, and Counsellor at Australia’s UN Mission in Geneva. The Government highlighted its recent steps to combat modern slavery, including establishing Australia’s first Anti-Slavery Commissioner in 2024, and noted Australia’s Tier One ranking in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report.
Wong released a statement on 19 August condemning Israel’s decision to revoke visas for Australian diplomats in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Wong called the decision “an unjustified reaction” to Australia’s recognition of Palestine. The statement argued that at a time when “dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution.” Canberra reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to international momentum for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and a lasting two-state solution. The Government also underscored its responsibility to safeguard communities at home, pledging to “always take decisive action against antisemitism” while emphasising that Australia welcomes diversity “united by respect for each other’s humanity and for each other’s right to live in peace.”
On 20 August, Wong met her Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Ha Noi for the 7th Viet Nam–Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The ministers welcomed progress under the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, expanding trade and investment ties, new cyber and digital cooperation, and Australia’s $96.6 million ODA commitment. They reaffirmed shared positions on regional peace, including support for ASEAN centrality, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and cooperation on climate change and Mekong sustainability. Both sides agreed to deepen security, economic, and people-to-people links, while advancing multilateral cooperation and joint initiatives ahead of Viet Nam’s hosting of APEC 2027.
On 21 August, Australia joined 19 other nations and the EU in condemning the Israeli Higher Planning Committee’s decision to approve settlement construction in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, calling it “unacceptable and a violation of international law.” The joint statement warned that the plan would “make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem,” fuelling further instability and violence. The ministers urged Israel to “urgently retract this plan,” stressing that unilateral settlement activity undermines peace efforts and contravenes UN Security Council Resolution 2334. They also called on Israel to halt settlement construction and lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority.
On 19 August, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy joined Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Nita Green to announce the extension of support for the Palau Paradise Express, the non-stop Qantas service connecting Australia and Palau. Launched in December 2024 at Palau’s request, the flight has already carried more than 5,000 passengers and will now continue until December 2026. Conroy noted that the service is “more than just a flight,” strengthening Palau’s economic resilience through tourism and trade while deepening people-to-people links. The decision follows the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Palau and reflects both governments’ commitment to ongoing cooperation in the Blue Pacific.
Dr Adam Bartley is the managing editor for AIIA’s Australian Outlook and weekly columnist for The Week in Australian Foreign Affairs. He is a former Fulbright Scholar and non-resident fellow at the Elliot School for International Affairs, the George Washington University. Adam also has positions as post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation RMIT University and as program manager of the AI Trilateral Experts Group. He can be found on Twitter here.
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