This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles and Wong to attend 12th Australia-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting, New diplomatic appointments announced; Government accepts Foreign Arrangements, Sanctions announced to target Russian repression of civil society, and more.
On 31 August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced the appointments of three career officials to lead Australia’s diplomatic missions in Islamabad, Lisbon and Papeete. The appointments include Mr Tim Kane as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Helen Cheney as Australia’s next Ambassador to Portugal, and Ms Greta Whyte as Australia’s next Consul-General in French Polynesia. These appointments reflect Australia’s continued commitment to strengthening diplomatic representation across key regions and maintaining robust international engagement through experienced career diplomats.
On 1 September, the Albanese Government welcomed the findings of the independent review of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme, led by Ms Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM, accepting all 23 recommendations of the review. Minister Wong stated that the Government is taking action to strengthen, clarify and streamline the Scheme in line with the review’s recommendations. The Foreign Arrangements Scheme is a key part of the Government’s broader resilience strategy, protecting critical sectors of Australian society from foreign interference. The reforms will sharpen the Scheme’s focus on arrangements that pose higher foreign policy or national security risks, while reducing the regulatory and compliance burden for low-risk engagements. This will help ensure Australia can continue to engage globally while safeguarding its national interests.
On 3 September, Minister Wong announced the imposition of further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against 14 individuals responsible for silencing political expression in Russia and enabling the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The announcement builds on Australia’s comprehensive framework of sanctions against Russia, including three packages since 2022 targeting individuals involved in the poisoning, mistreatment and death of Alexei Navalny. Minister Wong condemned Russia’s intimidation and reprisals against civil society and human rights defenders, meeting with Yulia Navalnaya, Chair of the International Anti-Corruption Foundation Advisory Board and widow of Alexei Navalny, whom she described as “a fearless voice for democracy in Russia, continuing her fight at immense personal cost.”
The Australian Government announced on 4 September it will provide $1 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people of Afghanistan following the deadly earthquake which struck Nangarhar Province. Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Anne Aly issued a joint statement noting that the earthquake has exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with almost half the population already in desperate need. Australia’s assistance will be directed through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ensuring support reaches those in need and not the Taliban regime. The Government remains firmly committed to supporting the Afghan people, having provided over $260 million to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan since 2021, with a particular focus on women and girls. Also on 4 September, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced they will travel to Japan to attend the 12th Australia-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting on 5 September 2025, focusing on shared geostrategic priorities and increasing collaboration across critical areas including economic ties, cyber security, regional security, and multilateral affairs.
On 5 September, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will travel to Japan to attend the 12th Australia-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting. The meeting, with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Iwaya Takeshi, and Minister of Defence, H.E. Nakatani Gen, will focus on shared geostrategic priorities as well as increasing collaboration across critical areas, including economic ties, cyber security, regional security, and multilateral affairs. Deputy Prime Minister Marles emphasized Japan’s importance as “an indispensable partner for Australia,” noting that their defence and security ties are “underpinned by a growing strategic alignment and deep trust.” He highlighted this year as “a milestone year of defence cooperation,” which included the largest ever Japanese participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Minister Wong described Australia and Japan as “strategic partners and close friends, with a relationship built on trust, aligned values, and mutual interests,” emphasizing their shared commitment to supporting “a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.”
Emily Mosley is the Projects and Publications Manager for the AIIA National Office.
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