This week in Australian foreign affairs: a joint statement on the Hamad Airport incident with the Qatari foreign minister; a new director-general for the Office of National Intelligence; Exercise MALABAR begins; and more.

On 31 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani delivered a joint statement on the Hamad International Airport incident. Minister Al Thani expressed his “deepest sympathies” with the women impacted and stated that the incident “is considered a violation of Qatar’s laws and values.” Minister Payne thanked Minister Al Thani and expressed Australia’s “satisfaction” with these initial steps taken. She also expressed her “confidence that the Qatari government will hold the officials involved accountable in a fair, just and proportionate manner.”

Payne also announced on 31 October an additional $500 million in funding over the next three years, on top of the $23.2 million committed in the budget, will be directed towards providing COVID-19 vaccine access in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

On 28 October, Payne stated that Australia is partnering with Japan and the United States to finance an undersea fibre optic cable to the Republic of Palau. The project is valued at approximately US$30 million and will ensure reliable, secure digital connectivity in Palau. It is the first project to take place under the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment in the Indo-Pacific between Australia, Japan, and the United States.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds noted on 3 November that Australia had joined “key regional defence partners” India, Japan, and the United States for Exercise MALABAR 2020. Payne described Exercise MALABAR as “an important opportunity to work in concert with like-minded nations to support a secure, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.”

Reynolds also acknowledged the 20^th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR1325) – Women, Peace and Security. Reynolds noted that “the Government will continue to champion the agenda across multinational forums and within bilateral partnerships, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.”

On 29 October, Reynolds noted that HMAS Arunta had arrived in Sasebo, Japan, for a “short logistics visit” prior to participating in Operation ARGOS on 31 October 2020. Operation ARGOS is Australia’s contribution to the enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his intention to recommend to the Governor General Andrew Shearer as the new director-general of the Office of National Intelligence for a five-year term on 30 October. Morrison thanked the outgoing director-general, Nick Warner, for his service.

Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge noted that from 30 October, new applicants for most visas “will be required to sign or accept an updated Australian Values Statement, with a greater focus on values like freedom, respect, equality and the rule of law.” The new Australian citizenship test, which similarly has “a stronger focus on Australian values,” will come into effect on 15 November.

On 29 October, Tudge stated that he had introduced legislation to reform the Adult Migrant English Program in order to allow “more migrants to access more free English language classes.” The reforms will remove the 510-hour limit on classes, allowing people to continue with the program “until they reach a vocational level of English.”

Minister for Trade Simon Birmingham announced on 31 October a major bid to bring the 2027 Rugby World Cup to Australia, with an $8.8 million funding injection to support the bid. It is estimated that hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup will bring over 200,000 international visitors to Australia, generate an estimated $2.2 billion in economic activity, and create 12,000 jobs.

On 28 October, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong criticised the Morrison government’s “refusal to commit to net zero emissions by 2050” and stated that this decision is “leaving Australians increasingly isolated [as] the UK and 73 other countries have committed to this target.” Wong argued that “Morrison’s refusal to take climate change seriously poses a threat to the security and prosperity of all Australians, and to Australia’s international standing.”

Isabella Keith is an intern at AIIA National Office.

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