This week in Australian foreign affairs: Wong meets with Malaysian Foreign Minister; the Australian Government reviews its counter terrorism financing listings; the Ninth Australia-China Dialogue brings together leaders for government, business, academia and culture; and the Australian Government’s announcement of lower oil price caps for Russia attracts praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
7th Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On 12 September 2025, Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed Malaysia’s Foreign Minister YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan to Melbourne for the 7th Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, marking 70 years of Australian diplomatic presence in Malaysia. Minister Wong highlighted cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in trade, security, and governance, underscoring deep people-to-people ties with over 172,000 Malaysians in Australia and more than 500,000 alumni, stating the partnership is “grounded in a shared history of friendship and cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.”
Review of counter-terrorism financing listings
On 13 September, the Australian Government renewed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on Hamas, Hizballah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and 30 other entities and 10 persons, while imposing new sanctions on three individuals and one entity linked to Hamas’ leadership, including Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasised Australia’s unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and reiterated calls for the release of hostages, stating these sanctions disrupt terrorist financing and reinforce that “there can be no role for Hamas in a Palestinian state.”
Ninth Australia-China High Level Dialogue
On 15 September, the Foreign Minister announced that the Ninth Australia-China High Level Dialogue will be convened in Beijing, and co-chaired by former Trade Minister Dr Craig Emerson and joined by former federal minister Warwick Smith AO FAIIA, Ambassador Scott Dewar, and DFAT Deputy Secretary Elly Lawson. Supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and CPIFA, with China’s delegation led by Li Zhaoxing, the Dialogue brings together leaders from government, business, academia, and culture to discuss trade, education, cultural ties, and regional and international security, reinforcing the value of “dialogue and direct engagement” in the bilateral relationship.
Lowering of Russian Oil Price Cap
On 18 September, the Australian Government announced it was lowering the Russian Oil Price Cap from USD60 to USD47.60 a barrel and imposing targeted sanctions on 95 additional Russian shadow fleet vessels, bringing the total sanctioned to more than 150. Acting alongside partners including the EU, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan, Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated these measures “help starve the Russian war economy of oil revenue” and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and pursuing a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace.” The action was praised by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X.
