International relations

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Trade and Tourism will host their Singaporean counterparts today for the 13th Singapore–Australia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting in Canberra.

The Australian Government condemns the violence across Sudan that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent people.

Australia and Vietnam held the 18th Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue on 24 April 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Australia’s delegation was led by Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for Human Rights, Ms Bronte Moules, and included staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Embassy in Vietnam, and Australian Human Rights Commission.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is undertaking public consultation on proposed amendments to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Cth). Submissions close on 19 May 2023 (5pm AEST).

In accordance with item 1, regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Cth) (the Regulations), the Minister for Foreign Affairs has previously designated for targeted financial sanctions, or declared for travel bans (together ‘listed’), by legislative instrument.

Mr Ian Biggs will be Australia’s next Ambassador to Austria; Ms Karen Bray Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Kiribati; Mr Allaster Cox Australia’s next High Commissioner to Singapore; and Dr Greg French Australia’s next Ambassador to the Netherlands.

The Australian Government was deeply concerned to learn of the harsh sentences handed down to human rights lawyers and activists, Mr Xu Zhiyong and Mr Ding Jiaxi, on 10 April 2023.

Australia is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon.