This week in Australian foreign affairs: the fourth virtual Pacific Women Leaders’ Network meeting, joint statement of support for the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, diplomatic appointments, and more.

On 16 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne convened and co-chaired the fourth virtual Pacific Women Leaders’ Network meeting with Samoan Minister for Finance, Anarosa Molioo Ale. The Network discussed “the importance of women’s leadership to resilient economies and healthy, safe communities”, as well as the impacts of COVID-19 and “the ways that health systems can respond to the needs of women and girls … including access to vaccines.”

Payne issued a joint statement of support for the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar on 15 October. This statement was shared by the Governments of Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the European Union. The statement noted that its signatories “remain deeply concerned about the dire situation in Myanmar, and its worsening implications for regional stability.” They further welcomed Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan’s upcoming visit to Myanmar. The signatories reiterated their support for the Special Envoy and ASEAN.

On 20 October, Payne issued a statement on the current conflict in Ethiopia. She noted Australia’s “deep concern” at reports of airstrikes on Mekelle, as well as the “escalation of conflict in northern Ethiopia”. Payne further stated that “Australia condemns the ongoing fighting, use of sexual violence and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.”

Payne announced several diplomatic appointments on 19 October: the appointment of Caroline Millar as Australia’s next Ambassador to Belgium, as well as accredited to the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and Luxembourg; the appointment of Fiona McKergow as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Cyprus; and the appointment of Genevieve Clune as Australia’s next Ambassador to Estonia. All three appointments are career officers with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

On 15 October, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, alongside Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, announcedthat I-Kiribati workers have arrived in Australia to support Queensland’s aged care sector. The workers fall under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, described by the Government as the “new, integrated approach” to the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme. Seselja noted that “this recruitment will contribute to deep and lasting relationships between I-Kiribati workers and Queensland aged care residents.”

Minister for Trade Dan Tehan noted that he visited the Maldives from 16-17 October “to discuss economic cooperation with ministerial counterparts.” Tehan met with Maldivian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Ministers of State for Economic Development Neeza Imad and Mohamed Iaad Hameed, and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed. The Ministers discussed “cooperation on economic environment, trade and investment, and tourism in the post-COVID environment, as well as security and environmental challenges facing the region.” Tehan reflected on the two nations’ “shared interest in an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region” and their “strong multilateral cooperation.”

On 14 October, Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke announced $27.1 million in additional funding for a “tailored Afghan settlement support package.” The package is informed by advice from the Government’s Advisory Panel on Australia’s Resettlement of Afghan Nationals and “recognises Australia’s long involvement in, and commitment to, Afghanistan and its people, and the unique challenges and needs of those rescued from Kabul.” The package includes $8 million in funding for “support to community organisations”, $6.4 million for “supporting evacuees onto a permanent pathway”, $4.8 million for “early intervention to enable fast economic participation” and $7.9 million for “mental health support to Afghan refugees and communities.”

The Department of Defence noted on 20 October that the United States Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) has departed from the Northern Territory following its rotation there. While in the Northern Territory, Marines participated in combined exercises with the Australian Defence Force, demonstrating “military interoperability.” Commander Headquarters Northern Command Colonel Marcus Constable stated that “our Alliance with the United States is our most important defence relationship … MRF-D is a reflection of the close cooperation between the [Australian Defence Force], United States Marine Corps and the Northern Territory Government.”

Isabella Keith is a weekly columnist for Australian Outlook. She is also an undergraduate student at the Australian National University studying Law and Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Isabella’s research interests include international law and comparative constitutional law.

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