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    <title>Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade</title>
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    <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:08:06 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>2008-2009 Annual Report</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/dept/annual_reports/index.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Department's 2008-09 Annual Report is now available for download.]]></description>
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      <title>Australian and African parliamentarians working for food security</title>
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      <description><![CDATA[Australia and Uganda, on behalf of other African states, have jointly put forward an important initiative addressing Global Food Security at the 121st General Assembly of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva this week.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:17:47 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>Meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/091009.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia’s Chargé d’Affaires in Rangoon, Simon Starr, together with the UK Ambassador and the US Deputy Head of Mission, today met Aung San Suu Kyi.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:17:47 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>Australian elected as Chair of Executive Committee of the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/091006.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ms Caroline Millar, has been elected as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:24:02 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>Australia’s trade with East Asia, the European Union and the Americas in 2008</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/090903.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) released three trade analysis publications: Australia's Trade with East Asia 2008, Australia's Trade with the European Union 2008, Australia's Trade with the Americas 2008.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:58:12 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Listing of Al-Shabaab as a Terrorist Organisation</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090821.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Australian Government has listed Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code and the Charter of the United Nations Act. The listing follows advice from security agencies that Al-Shabaab is either directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting or fostering terrorist acts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:25:36 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Australia-Malaysia Institute: Strengthening Australia’s Ties with Malaysia</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/090818_ami.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Advisory Board of the Australia-Malaysia Institute (AMI) recognised the achievements of six Victorian Schools that participated in the Australia-Malaysia sister school pilot program at an Australia-Malaysia Alumni reception at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne on the evening of Monday 10 August. At the reception AMI Advisory Board Chair Professor Lance Twomey AO presented each school with a contribution of $2000 in appreciation of their work in making the pilot project a success.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:55:37 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090813a.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Government will recommend to the Governor-General in Executive Council that Mr Nick Warner PSM be appointed to the position of Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, (ASIS), effective from 17 August 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:49:56 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs &amp; Trade</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090813b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Foreign Minister pays tribute to the outgoing Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael L'Estrange AO, for his contribution and service as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) over the past four and a half years. The Government has announced the appointment of Mr Dennis Richardson AO, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, as the incoming Secretary of the department.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:49:00 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Aung San Suu Kyi</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090811_aung_san_suu_kyi.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia condemns the conviction and sentencing today of Aung San Suu Kyi under Burma’s so-called Law Protecting the State Against the Dangers of Subversive Elements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:23:56 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Boosting trade links with Malaysia</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090804_malaysia.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Trade Minister Simon Crean will today host the 15th  Australia Malaysia Joint Trade Committee meeting in Melbourne.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:32:11 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Australia Supports the Responsibility to Protect</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090721b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia will advance the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle at the regional, global and civil society levels with a $4.5 million package of support over four financial years.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:59:18 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Diplomatic appointment - Ambassador to Austria</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090720_austria.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Foreign Minister announced the appointment of Mr Michael Potts as Australia's Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to International Organisations with headquarters in Vienna. Mr Potts replaces Mr Peter Shannon who has been Ambassador since July 2006. He is expected to take up his appointment in August 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:02:21 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Vancouver 2010 Olympic Business Program Announced</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090716.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Trade Minister Simon Crean today launched Australia's official business program for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games to enhance trade and investment opportunities for Australian businesses in Canada.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:58:47 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Appointment of APEC Ambassador</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090713_apec_ambassador.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith and Minister for Trade Simon Crean today announced the appointment of Mr Ric Wells as Australia’s Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), succeeding Mr David Spencer in the position.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:22:28 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Trade 2020 to Provide New Vision for Australia&apos;s Global Engagement</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090713.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Trade Minister Simon Crean today announced Trade 2020 - a new series of high-level forums that will generate ideas and vision for Australia's ongoing commercial engagement with the world.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:43:38 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Participation in the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Egypt and Travel to Malta</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090712a.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Foreign Minister is travelling to Egypt to participate in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement this week on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July. He will also visit Malta.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:45:42 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Australia Implements New UN Sanctions Against North Korea</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090712b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Australian Government has welcomed the United Nations Security Council's unanimous adoption of Resolution 1874 in response to North Korea's nuclear test on 25 May and has amended regulations implementing sanctions against North Korea, bringing Australian law into line with its obligations under Resolution 1874.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:44:06 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>UN Report on Global Effort Toward Achieving the MDGs</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090710.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report 2009 confirms the world's progress in reducing those living in extreme poverty from one-half of the population of developing countries in 1990 to one-quarter in 2005. These gains are threatened by the global recession and continued efforts by developed countries will be necessary. To this end, Australia has restated its commitment to increase its development assistance to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income by 2015-16.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:50:25 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Foreign Minister to Visit Malaysia</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090705a.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Foreign Minister will visit Malaysia on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 July to hold the inaugural Australia-Malaysia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:26:06 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Appointment of IAEA Director General</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090705.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Foreign Minister has welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Yukiya Amano as the next Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ambassador Amano will be the first IAEA Director General from the Asia-Pacific region.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:06:19 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Ambassador to Sweden</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090703.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Hugh Borrowman has informed the Minister for Foreign Affairs that for personal and family reasons he is no longer in a position to proceed with his appointment as Ambassador to Sweden.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:42:37 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Appointment of Acting Director-General of AusAID</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/090701.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Peter Baxter has been appointed as the acting Director-General of AusAID from 4 July 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:08:56 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>DFAT invites submissions on PACER Plus</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/spacific/pacer/index.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) formally invites public submissions and comments on a prospective trade and economic agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the Forum Island Countries, known as PACER Plus.  Pacific Islands Forum Leaders will be considering launching PACER Plus negotiations in August.  Initial submissions are sought by 31 July 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:11:55 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Australian assistance for Palestinian people</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090625_jmr_gillard.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Visiting the Palestinian Territories, the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard announced that Australia will provide $10 million for essential services such as education and health care for the Palestinian people.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:45:05 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>New Ministerial Dialogue with Japan</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090626.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Minister for Trade Simon Crean announced today a new bilateral ministerial dialogue with Japan's Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Toshihiro Nikai. The inaugural meeting will occur later this year and the Ministers will aim to hold meetings on an annual basis.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:29:38 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>New DFAT Report: Exports of Primary and Manufactured Products, 2008</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/090623_epmp08.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australian produced exports of primary products such as food, fuels and minerals increased 50.7 per cent to $152.2 billion in 2008, according to a new report titled Exports of Primary and Manufactured Products, 2008 released today by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:35:48 +1000</pubDate>
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    </item>
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      <title>Australia increases support for trade in developing countries</title>
      <link>http://www.trdaeminister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090622_jmr_mcmullan_support.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia will more than double assistance for trade to developing countries through the World Trade Organization (WTO) the Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, announced today.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:01:43 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Visit to Europe to Strengthen Ties with the EU and Advance the Doha Round</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090620.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Minister for Trade Simon Crean will today depart for Brussels to host the first ministerial level dialogue between Australia and the European Commission on trade policy.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:01:43 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Daw Aung San Suu Kyi</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090619.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Today is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday. The Australian Foreign Minister restates Australia's grave concern at her treatment at the hands of the Burmese military regime and calls again for her immediate and unconditional release, and the release of the more than 2000 other political prisoners in Burma.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:51:31 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Australia’s Composition of Trade 2008</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/department/090617_dmr_cot08.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia’s total value of trade in goods and services increased 23.1 per cent in 2008 to $561 billion, according to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Publication, Composition of Trade Australia 2008, released today.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:16:55 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>The Next Step in Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Integration</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090618_pif.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Minister for Trade Simon Crean and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan welcomed the outcomes of the 2009 Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers Meeting just concluded in Apia, Samoa.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:15:47 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Visit to New Zealand</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090617b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Stephen Smith, will visit New Zealand on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 June for discussions with his New Zealand counterpart, Foreign Minister Murray McCully.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:17:00 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Visit by Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090617.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani, is visiting Australia from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 June 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:17:00 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Appointment of Australian National Commission for UNESCO</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090616b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Australian Foreign Minister has announced the appointment of a new Australian National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:21:13 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Assistance to Refugees on the Thai-Burma Border</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090616.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia will provide $1million to improve conditions for refugees living in camps on the Thai-Burma border.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:53:05 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Visit to Australia by Kenyan Minister for Foreign Affairs</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090612b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Kenya's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Moses Wetang'ula, is visiting Australia from Thursday 11 to Tuesday 
  16 June.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:53:05 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Australia to Join United Nations Anti-Piracy Fight</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090612.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Australia has today strengthened its commitment to international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:53:05 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>19th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/png/19_forum_joint_statement.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Joint Statement at the conclusion of the 19th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:12:54 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Australia Updates Autonomous Financial Sanctions for the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090610.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Foreign Minister Smith announced today that Australia has updated its list of autonomous financial sanctions for the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. These sanctions target individuals indicted or suspected of war crimes during the Balkan wars in the early 1990s.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:53:05 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/infocus/090608_cg.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ministers from the Cairns Group are meeting in Bali from 7-9 June to provide a political boost to concluding the world trade talks and discuss strategies for exerting the Group's influence in support of agricultural trade reform.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:45:25 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>19th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090608.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Foreign Minister will co-chair with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister, Mr Sam Abal MP, the 19th Australia- Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday 10 June, 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:16:50 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090608c.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Peter Woolcott will be Australia's new Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues. The appointment, to take effect this week, underlines the Government's strong commitment to regional cooperation to combat people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:12:23 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Diplomatic Appointment - High Commissioner to India</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090608b.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr Peter Varghese is to be Australia's next High Commissioner to India, with concurrent accreditation to Bhutan. Mr Varghese is expected to take up his appointment in August 2009.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:11:22 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>DFAT Staff Honoured in Queen&apos;s Birthday Honours List</title>
      <link>http://www.dfat.gov.au/infocus/090608_qb_honours.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[His Excellency Mr Marc Innes-Brown PSM and Mr Michael Francis Thompson PSM have been honoured with Public Service Medals in the Queen's Birthday 2009 honours list.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:30:25 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Foreign Minister Smith&apos;s speech at the Ministry of Education Sports &amp; Culture (MESC), Malifa, for the new MESC Headquarters Ground Breaking Ceremony</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2009/090603_samoa.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Foreign Minister Smith and Prime Minister Rudd's strong commitment to education as a priority for the development assistance program and why they are pleased to contribute to, together with New Zealand, Samoa and the Asian Development Bank, the establishment of the education headquarters in Samoa]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:25:42 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean to chair a crucial meeting of agricultural exporting nations in Bali</title>
      <link>http://www.trademinister.gov.au/releases/2009/sc_090605_agri_exp_bali.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ministers from the Cairns Group are meeting in Bali on 7-9 June to work towards concluding the world trade talks and to discuss how to avoid a reversion to protectionism.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:05:02 +1000</pubDate>
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Visit to Samoa</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090604.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Foreign Minister Smith met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoli’ai Sailele Malielegaoi and Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister Misa Telefoni to discuss the impact of the global recession on Samoa and to emphasise the importance of the Partnership for Development which Samoa and Australia signed at last year’s Pacific Islands Forum.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:37:04 +1000</pubDate>
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      <title>Visit to Tonga</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090603.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Foreign Minister Smith met with Prime Minister Sevele and had the honour of addressing the Tongan Cabinet, thanking Tonga for its support for RAMSI and in relation to Fiji and reaffirming Australia’s support for Tonga’s program of constitutional and electoral reform.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:37:04 +1000</pubDate>
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Visit to Tonga and Samoa</title>
      <link>http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090602.html</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Foreign Minister Smith will visit the Kingdom of Tonga and Samoa tomorrow Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:37:04 +1000</pubDate>
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