This week in Australian foreign affairs: Australia imposed new sanctions targeting North Korean cybercrime networks, appointed ambassadors for arms control and cyber affairs, strengthened regional defence cooperation through ASEAN, and announced participation in G20 and Quad Foreign Ministers’ meetings, and more.
On 23 October, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced new targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against two individuals and two entities involved in helping North Korea generate revenue for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The sanctions target networks that arrange remote employment for North Korean IT workers who pose as nationals of other countries, allowing them to earn money from overseas businesses. The Australian Government said these activities violate UN Security Council resolutions restricting North Korea’s overseas labour and pose cyber security risks to affected businesses. The measures were introduced in coordination with international partners, including the European Union, as part of broader efforts to disrupt North Korea’s illicit revenue sources.
The following day, Wong announced the appointment of Rachel Moseley as Australia’s next Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation. Moseley will lead Australia’s efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, reduce nuclear risks and advance international disarmament. She will also promote Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation standards as it acquires conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS. On the same day, Wong appointed Dr Derek Bopping as Australia’s next Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Artificial Intelligence and Critical Technology. Bopping, a senior officer with the Australian Signals Directorate, will work to strengthen international cooperation on cyber security, AI and emerging technologies.
On 26 October, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the first international passenger flight to Western Sydney International Airport, with an Air New Zealand service arriving from Auckland. The new service will operate three return flights each week, strengthening travel and trade connections between Australia and New Zealand. The airport is designed to accommodate 10 million passengers annually, while its 24-hour cargo precinct is expected to increase Sydney’s air cargo capacity by approximately 33 per cent.
On the same day, the Australian Government highlighted the findings of the Australian Signals Directorate’s Annual Cyber Threat Report 2025–26, which identified the growing role of artificial intelligence in cybercrime and state-sponsored cyber operations. During the reporting period, the ASD responded to more than 1,500 cyber security incidents and received over 82,000 cybercrime reports. The report warned that AI is enabling malicious actors to identify vulnerabilities and conduct attacks with greater speed, scale and sophistication. The Government called for stronger cooperation between public and private sector organisations to improve Australia’s cyber resilience and protect critical infrastructure.
On 27 October, the Albanese Government introduced new defence legislation aimed at protecting military bases and accelerating the development of advanced defence capabilities. The Defence Legislation Amendment (Accelerating Capability and Protecting Bases) Bill 2026 would provide Defence with greater powers to detect, monitor and respond to unauthorised drones operating over sensitive military sites. The proposed legislation would also make it easier for Defence, industry and trusted international partners to develop and test new technologies, supporting Australia’s National Defence Strategy and both pillars of AUKUS.
From 28 to 29 October, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles attended the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Cebu, Philippines. Marles met with counterparts from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss regional security and strengthen defence cooperation, particularly in maritime security, cyber security, defence infrastructure and military exercises. During the visit, he also held a four-way meeting with representatives from the Philippines, Japan and the United States. Discussions focused on greater coordination between the four countries, including potential joint investment in defence infrastructure in the Philippines and expanded military cooperation.
Closing out the week, on 29 October, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that she would attend the G20 and Quad Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Atlanta, United States. The G20 discussions will focus on global economic resilience, energy security and supply chain disruptions amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Wong also announced Australia’s support for the European Union-led ‘No Fees/No Tolls’ pledge, opposing unlawful fees on international shipping that could undermine freedom of navigation. At the Quad meeting, Wong will meet her counterparts from the United States, India and Japan to advance cooperation on regional security, maritime security and economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific.
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