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Official News - August 2008
► 2008 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting
The 2008 Forum Leaders’ Meeting was an outstanding success, reflecting an increasingly self-confident and engaged membership. Australia, together with our Pacific neighbours, took forward initiatives benefiting the region and advancing Australia’s vision for deeper engagement with Forum island countries (FICs).
The Pacific Islands Forum took place from 19 – 20 August 2008 in Niue.
At the Forum, Leaders welcomed Australia’s new policy approach towards the Pacific, embodied in the Australian Prime Minister's Port Moresby Declaration, and given effect through a series of initiatives launched over the year, notably the Pacific Partnerships for Development with FICs. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed Partnerships with PNG and with Samoa in Niue.
Leaders’ response to the situation in Fiji was robust and united and included foreshadowing the unprecedented possibility of Fiji's suspension from the Forum, reflecting the Forum’s strong and undivided commitment to democracy.
The Government announced several other major Australian initiatives at Niue, which were well received by Leaders, notably:
♦the launch of the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme;
♦a $150 million climate change adaptation initiative, which includes within it an allocation of $14.8 million for a range of climate change adaptation programs for FICs;
♦and Australian investment of $127 million over four years in a $200 million multi-donor Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility to support basic infrastructure.
In addition to a comprehensive and constructive communiqué, Forum Leaders adopted the Niue Declaration on Climate Change – the first time they have issued a joint statement on this key subject (see below).
Forum Leaders also agreed on a broad agenda of other priority issues for the coming year, including:
♦injecting momentum into new comprehensive regional trade ♦negotiations (PACER Plus) by directing regional officials to formulate a detailed road-map, with a view to Leaders agreeing at the 2009 Forum to the commencement of negotiations;
♦continuation of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), including endorsing Japan’s interest in cooperating with RAMSI;
♦enhancing regional energy security, including through redoubled effort on a bulk fuel procurement initiative;
♦and collectively progressing the regional fisheries enforcement agenda.
Samoan candidate Neroni Slade was selected by Leaders for the position of Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat for a three year term.
Leaders “affirmed the Forum’s strong and unanimous support” for Australia’s 2013 – 2014 UN Security Council bid, and for New Zealand’s candidature for the UNSC for 2015-2016, while also expressing support for Canada’s bid for the 2011-2012 term.
Australia looks forward to hosting the Forum in 2009.
► Climate change outcomes of the Pacific Islands Forum
Australia welcomes the climate change outcomes of the 2008 Pacific Islands Forum and has committed $150 million over the next three years to address high-priority climate adaptation – with a primary focus on the Pacific and East Timor.
Australia welcomes the climate change outcomes of the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue balancing the responsibilities of small island developing states to take action on adaptation within their capabilities with the responsibility of the international community to provide wider support.
The Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, and his counterparts adopted the Niue Declaration on Climate Change at the Forum. It commits Forum members, including Australia, to continue to develop ways of combating climate change that are tailored to the Pacific.
Leaders stressed the need for urgent action by major greenhouse gas emitting countries to set targets and make commitments to significantly reduce their emissions, and to support the most vulnerable countries to adapt to and address the impacts of climate change, including relocation if necessary.
Building resilience to climate change is critical for highly vulnerable countries in our region.
Leaders welcomed Australia’s International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative. Through this initiative, we have committed $150 million over the next three years to address high priority climate adaptation – with a primary focus on the Pacific and East Timor.
At Niue, the Australian Prime Minister announced an initial allocation of $14.8 million as part of the Initiative. This investment will provide immediate assistance and lay the foundation for further targeted support.
In the Forum Communiqué, Leaders also expressed appreciation for Australia’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.
► Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme
The Australian Government has announced a three-year pilot seasonal worker scheme under which up to 2,500 visas will be issued to workers from Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu to work for up to seven months a year in the horticulture industry in regional Australia.
On 17 August 2008 the Australian Government announced a Pacific pilot seasonal worker scheme in the horticulture industry. The pilot will commence as soon as possible, after finalisation of the consultation process and development work now under way.
Up to 2,500 visas will be granted over the period of the three year trial providing seasonal workers from Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu with the opportunity to work for up to 7 months (and at least 6 months) in every 12 month period in areas of regional Australia where there is demonstrated unmet demand for low skilled labour. Placements will target areas where low-skilled workers are needed to harvest produce and where jobs can’t be filled by Australians. The pilot will include strict conditions to ensure that there is no exploitation of Pacific workers and no undercutting of Australian working standards, including awards. It will be reviewed after 18 months to ensure it is meeting the needs of Australian employers and Pacific Island workers and that the necessary safeguards are working effectively.
The pilot demonstrates Australia’s new partnership with our Pacific Island neighbours. Its Pacific focus reflects Australia’s special historic links with the Pacific Island countries and the Government’s commitment to assist them to address their unique, and in some cases significant, development needs.
In addition to the benefits for Australian farmers and consumers, Pacific islanders will benefit from the income, experience and training received through the pilot scheme. The remittances sent home will significantly help the development of their villages and communities.
The Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, discussed the pilot scheme with regional leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Niue this week and the Government will be working with participant countries to establish clear, transparent and officially-sanctioned recruitment arrangements. Until recruitment arrangements have been officially advised, no visa applications for the scheme will be considered or processed, and Pacific islanders interested in participating in the scheme should not accept offers from groups or individuals purporting to offer placements in the scheme in return for payment.
The Australian Government made an election commitment to consider New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme and the lessons learnt from that scheme have been important in the development of this pilot scheme.
Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu – the countries which will work with us on the pilot – are a balanced representative sample of regional countries. As it is only a pilot, we will start with 2500 workers over a three year period from July 2009 subject to labour market demand, with a small number to begin with later this year. We know those Pacific countries not invited to participate will be disappointed but we trust they will understand that our shared purpose is to pilot a robust model optimised for success.
►Conflict in Georgia
Australia calls on Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia immediately and honour the ceasefire agreement brokered by French President Sarkozy.
Australia calls on Russia to honour its commitment to withdraw its troops immediately and honour the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates that Russian military forces have to withdraw to lines held prior to the beginning of hostilities, concerned at Russia’s comments it will not speed up its withdrawal until after 22 August.
The Australian Government has made clear both in Moscow and in Canberra its concern at Russian actions in Georgia. Russia’s military response has been disproportionate and resulted in widespread damage and heavy casualties.
Australia welcomed the strong messages of support for Georgia by North Atlantic Council Foreign Ministers in their meeting on 19 August, which demanded Russia respect Georgia’s territorial integrity by making a swift and complete withdrawal of its troops from Georgia in good faith with the six provisions in the ceasefire agreement.
Australia has announced a $1 million emergency humanitarian assistance package Of this, $500,000 will go to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for shelter, blankets and water. A further $500,000 has been allocated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for medical supplies to hospitals and the deployment of field hospitals. Australia has also agreed to the deployment of two Australian experts to support UNICEF in restoring water and sanitation to affected areas.
The territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected. The UNSC has adopted many resolutions concerning Georgia, each of which recognises South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia.
► Australia and Indonesia: A new era of partnership
Mr Smith’s visit to Indonesia in August highlighted the new level of maturity in Australia-Indonesia relations.
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, made his second visit to Indonesia on 11-13 August 2008. Mr Smith met his counterpart, Dr Hassan Wirajuda, and other senior Indonesian Ministers to progress cooperation on security issues, disaster response, food security, education, trade and investment, and efforts to expand people-to-people links. Mr Smith and Dr Wirajuda agreed to co-chair a Bali Process Ministerial meeting in 2009 to further strengthen regional efforts to combat people smuggling, and discussed plans for the next Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum, the peak bilateral consultative forum.
Mr Smith outlined Australia’s vision for the future of the Australia Indonesia partnership in an address at a leading think tank in Jakarta (see: www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2008/080811_csis.html) Mr Smith said both governments wanted to build on current levels of bilateral cooperation to address regional and global challenges, including climate change, disaster response and combating transnational crimes. He underlined that the current resolve of both governments to manage potentially sensitive issues demonstrated a new level of maturity in Australia - Indonesia relations.
Mr Smith said Australia was looking to Indonesia to make a stronger contribution to a commercially meaningful package of mutual benefit in negotiations for an ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement.
He congratulated Indonesia on its successes in disrupting terrorist and people-smuggling networks, and visited the Indonesian National Police Headquarters, underlining Australia’s commitment to continued law enforcement cooperation.
Mr Smith reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to support Indonesia’s economic development through the five-year $2.5 billion Australia–Indonesia Partnership. He announced:
♦ the start of the tendering process for over $300 million in projects to improve hundreds of kilometres of national roads and bridges
♦ an increase in funding for food security initiatives
♦ new funding for a school twinning project to improve links between Australian and Indonesian teachers and students.
Mr Smith and Dr Wirajuda travelled to South Sulawesi to open one of 2000 schools Australia is building across 20 provinces and to visit agriculture projects.
► Australia extends a standing invitation to UN human rights experts
Australia has issued a standing invitation to UN human rights experts. This invitation underscores Australia’s commitment to strengthen Australia’s engagement with the UN’s human rights system and to the promotion of international human rights standards.
The Australian Government has issued a standing invitation to United Nations human rights experts, also known as ‘Special Procedures’. ‘Special Procedures is the term used to describe the individual experts (also known as ‘Special Rapporteurs’) and working groups that examine human rights issues on behalf of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
A standing invitation means that any request from a special procedure’s mandate holder will be automatically accepted.
Australia joins 61 other UN members in issuing a standing invitation.
This is example of Australia’s commitment to strengthen its engagement with the UN’s human rights system, and to the promotion and protection of international human rights standards.
► Australia’s position on the IAEA-India Nuclear Safeguards Agreement
The Australian Government and other members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors have approved an IAEA-India safeguards agreement. The safeguards agreement is a positive step which will strengthen nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
The Australian Government has joined other members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors in approving by consensus an IAEA-India safeguards agreement. After careful consideration, the Australian Government has formed the view that the safeguards agreement is a positive step which will strengthen nuclear non-proliferation efforts and is consistent with the non-proliferation objectives of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The agreement will expand very significantly the application of international safeguards to India’s nuclear facilities. Under the agreement, India undertakes that civilian nuclear facilities covered by the agreement will not be used for military purposes. The IAEA will verify that undertaking and India’s adherence to nuclear safeguards.
Australia strongly supports international efforts to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and remains committed to universal adherence to the NPT. Australia will continue to encourage those States not party to the NPT, including India, to join the Treaty.
The Australian Government’s position remains very firmly that it will not supply uranium to countries that are not a party to the NPT.
Australia is also a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) which later this month will consider its approach to the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative between the United States and India.
Australia will approach the discussions in the NSG in the same positive and constructive manner that it approached the IAEA deliberations. Australia will bear in mind non-proliferation considerations, as well as the strategic importance of this issue for both India and the United States.
► Australia’s enhanced relationships in South Asia
Australia is committed to taking its relationships with the member nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to a higher level. The Government is committed to enhancing further Australia’s diverse and strong links in the region.
Australia has been invited to become an Observer to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) following the SAARC Summit in Sri Lanka between 2-3 August.
Australia’s interest in participating as an Observer in SAARC is an indication of our strong desire to engage more intensively with South Asia. By inviting Australia, SAARC member nations have underlined their interest in developing deeper, mutually beneficial links with Australia.
Observer Status will enable Australia to engage South Asian Governments annually at the highest levels.
Australia’s engagement in South Asia is already broad and substantial. Economic engagement is diverse and growing; our merchandise and services trade with SAARC countries was more than $A14 billion in 2007. People-to-people links are strong: In excess of 280,000 people from the SAARC region have migrated permanently to Australia; over 92,800 South Asian students were enrolled in Australian institutions in 2007. Regional development assistance in 2007-08 is likely to be in the order of $223 million.
Institutional links in key areas such as education, science and technology, and policy dialogues are also growing.
Australia has increasing defence and counter-terrorism links with South Asia.
But there is significant potential to do more, and our presence at future SAARC Summits will enable us to build relationships within South Asia in new ways.
Beyond growing bilateral links, Australia has important regional, economic and security interests in seeing cooperation within South Asia continue to develop.
► Inaugural meeting of the COAG Ministerial Council on International Trade
The Australian Trade Minister, the Hon Simon Crean MP, chaired a meeting of State Ministers responsible for trade in Melbourne on 5 August 2008, developing a coordinated approach to trade policy between the Commonwealth and the State and Territory Governments.
Mr Crean and Parliamentary Secretary Murphy were joined by ministerial representatives from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, while the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Tasmania were represented by observers.
The key focus of the meeting was how the Commonwealth, States and Territories can work together to improve Australia’s trade and investment performance reflecting both a whole of government and a whole of governments perspective.
Examining Australia’s trade performance through the prism of international competitiveness, Ministers discussed the impact of infrastructure and skill shortages and agreed to promote the trade perspective in government work on these issues.
The Council agreed that Austrade will prepare a report canvassing opportunities for Austrade and State and Territory overseas representation to work more closely together in trade and investment promotion activities, including their trade missions.
Other key outcomes included an agreement by Ministers to:
♦ more effectively use Brand Australia across the states and territories for international trade and investment promotion purposes;
♦ coordinate inward investment activity through the National Investment Advisory Board, with outcomes to be communicated annually to the Council;
♦ increase efforts to assist regional exporters; and
♦ cooperate on recommendations arising from the Review of Export Policies and Programs.