Papua New Guinea recently celebrated forty-seven years of independence. It was a wonderful occasion for Australia’s closest neighbour to reflect on its past and future.

On 31 October, the ABC’s Four Corners reported the US was funding an upgrade of the Tindal air force base  to house six American B-52H “Stratofortress” strategic bombers by 2026. Australia’s Department of Defence confirmed the project, but sought to downplay it, pointing to past precedent of similar types of Australia-US military cooperation.

On 10 October, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar made his second visit to Australia. The visit, for the annual Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue between the two countries, has become an important institutional arrangement to strengthen the deepening Australia-India Comprehensive  Strategic Partnership.

In 2012, without too much fanfare, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs inaugurated the 16+1 initiative. Its purpose was to promote a “win-win” cooperation in business, trade, and investment between 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) and China.

The major emphases in the foreign policy of the new federal Labor government are already clear. The ethical assumption is that such policies will protect or improve the position of the Australian community broadly conceived.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held its 20th Congress from 16-22 October. Xi Jinping, secretary general of the CCP, has for all intents and purposes consolidated his hold on power.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese and Kishida meet in Perth and issue renewed Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and sign a Critical Minerals Partnership, 2022-23 Budget, additional responses towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Migration has made a vital contribution to Australia’s economic development over recent decades. Migrants have lifted the level of skills in Australia, facilitated the transfer of knowledge and international connections to Australian workers and businesses, and met around a third of increased skills requirements in the economy. 

Diplomacy is needed to manage governance and security in cyberspace. Diplomats must better engage with the big technology and internet companies.

The upcoming COP27 climate talks in Egypt come amidst global turmoil. Despite this, the COP27 meetings must achieve meaningful progress with regard to climate finance for lower-income countries that are disproportionately harmed by climate change.