News, speeches and media

This week the Government launched the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme family accompaniment pilot. This will offer 200 PALM scheme workers the opportunity to bring their family members to Australia.

Assistant Minister for Trade, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres will travel to Indonesia to reinforce our commitment to strengthening trade and investment with one of our closest neighbours.

Today we announce the appointment of Mr James Baxter as Australia's next Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

Australia has imposed further counter-terrorism financing sanctions on 12 persons and three entities linked to Hamas, Hizballah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Australia has today used cyber sanctions powers on a Russian individual for his role in the breach of the Medibank Private network.

Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs announces the new appointments of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls-General, who will advance Australia's interests abroad.

Australia will provide an additional $21.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the Middle East, including in response to the urgent and ongoing humanitarian needs resulting from the Hamas-Israel conflict.

This week the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, will travel to Jordan, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the United Arab Emirates, to support international diplomatic efforts towards a durable peace in the Middle East.

Australia congratulates Dr Lai Ching-te on his victory in the Taiwan elections held on 13 January.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, has announced the Australia-Korea Foundation grant recipients for 2023-24. These grants strengthen collaboration between Australia and the Republic of Korea by advancing our shared political, economic, and social interests.