Archive of latest news, February 2014
Education program in the Philippines
21 February 2014
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced Australia would continue its education partnership with the Philippines by contributing $150 million over six years to the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) Program.
Visit to Vietnam
18 February 2014
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop travelled to Vietnam on 18 and 19 February and announced Australian support for the empowerment of women and for Vietnam's economic reforms.
- Media release: Australian support for Vietnam's economic reforms
- Media release: Supporting women in Vietnam
- More: Foreign Minister's visit to Vietnam
Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement
17 February 2014
The full text of Australia's free trade agreement with Korea (KAFTA), our third-largest export market and fourth-largest trading partner, is today being publicly released, the Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb announced.
- Media release: Public release of Korea-Australia FTA text
- Full text of the agreement: Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement
Visit to Fiji
14-15 February 2014
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop travelled to Fiji on 14-15 February as a member of the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group to observe Fiji's progress towards democracy.
- Media release: Supporting Fiji's return to democracy
- Photo gallery: Visit to Fiji, February 2014
State and Territory statistical publication, 2012-13
11 February 2014
Northern Territory's trade volumes surged in 2012-13, according to Australia's trade by State and Territory 2012-13 released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- Media release: Northern Territory trade volumes surge
- Publication: Australia's trade by State and Territory 2012-13
Strengthening ties with PNG
6 February 2014
PNG's important role in the region in combatting people smuggling, its leadership in supporting Fiji's elections and its commitment to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2018 were on the agenda when Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visited Port Moresby and Lae.
- Media release: Strengthening ties with PNG
- Media release: Help for family and sexual violence victims in PNG
New Strategic Directions for the Australia-China Council
5 February 2014
The Australia-China Council released its new four-year Strategic Plan 2014-2018. It responds to the rapidly-growing bilateral relationship agenda and supports the Government's focus on academic and professional mobility and economic diplomacy. The New Strategic Plan was endorsed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP.