Tag: Foreign Affairs
Smith to attend Pacific forum instead of Gillard
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith has announced he will go to the Pacific Islands Forum in Vanuatu this week.[MORE]
East Timor waits on asylum plan details
East Timor says it is still waiting for details from Australia about a proposal to build a regional processing centre for asylum seekers.[MORE]
Labor denies warning Nauru on Coalition meeting
Labor has denied it warned Nauru's government against talking to the Opposition about reopening the island's asylum seeker detention centre.[MORE]
Nauru can reach asylum agreement, says minister
Nauru's government rejects claims it is not in a position to negotiate with Australia on re-opening a refugee processing centre on the island. [MORE]
Pacific leaders back me: Bainimarama
Fiji's interim prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says he has the backing of a several Pacific Island leaders, despite a rift with Vanuatu.[MORE]
Indonesia seeking compo over Timor oil spill
The Indonesian government has announced it is seeking compensation from an exploration company partially owned by Australia, which was responsible for last year's oil spill in the Timor Sea.[MORE]
Bainimarama says Fiji-Australia ties worsening
Fiji's interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama says his relationship with Australia is getting worse.[MORE]
President urges leaders to reconsider Nauru
The president of Nauru says he is worried the Australian Prime Minister has overlooked the island nation to house asylum seekers for political reasons.[MORE]
DFAT settles case over alleged Iraq war leak
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has made a confidential settlement with an employee who was sacked after being accused of leaking restricted information about the Iraq war.[MORE]
Australia's relationship with Fiji 'at its worst'
Former Fijian prime minister Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka has criticised Australia's ongoing travel bans on Fiji's military. [MORE]
MPs travel to Gaza to assess aid situation
Two New South Wales MPs say they are travelling to Gaza today in an attempt to better understand how much overseas aid is needed in the area.[MORE]
Rudd goes to ground in NYC
Kevin Rudd cancels an official appearance and ignores media requests in New York as Julia Gillard fields questions about his fall from power.[MORE]
Smith fails to win support for asylum centre
Stephen Smith has failed to get Indonesia's support for the Government's proposal to build a refugee processing centre in East Timor.[MORE]
Stalled aid ship heading for Egypt port
A Libyan chartered ship carrying 2,000 tonnes of aid for Gaza is reportedly heading for an Egyptian port after spending hours stalled by engine trouble in the Mediterranean.[MORE]
Expelled Australian diplomat leaves Fiji
Australia's Acting High Commissioner to Fiji, Sarah Roberts, is on her way home after being expelled from the country by the interim regime.[MORE]
Confusion over Gaza-bound aid ship's plans
Confusion surrounds the destination of a Libyan chartered ship that was bound for Gaza carrying 2,000 tonnes of food and medicines.[MORE]
US deports another Russian spy
The FBI's investigation into a Russian spy ring that operated in the US has resulted in another Russian being detained and then deported.[MORE]
Diplomat flying home after Fiji expulsion
Australia's Acting High Commissioner to Fiji, Sarah Roberts, is flying back to Australia later today after being expelled by the interim government.[MORE]
Smith rejects Nauru asylum option
The Government is "squarely focused" on setting up a refugee processing centre in East Timor despite calls for it to consider reopening the Howard-era processing centre on Nauru.[MORE]
Nauru considers signing refugee convention
Nauru's president says his country is considering signing the UN refugee convention and is open to the idea of hosting a regional processing centre.[MORE]
Fiji blames Australia for postponed Pacific meeting
Relations between Fiji and Australia have sunk to another low, with its interim government expelling Australia's top diplomat.[MORE]
Fiji hands letter of expulsion to Australian diplomat
Fiji's interim government has handed an official letter of expulsion to Australia's Acting High Commissioner Sarah Roberts.[MORE]
Smith still backs asylum plan
The Federal Government is standing strong behind its proposal for a refugee processing centre in East Timor, despite the East Timorese parliament rejecting the idea.[MORE]
Anger as Fiji expels Australian diplomat
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has slammed Fiji's decision to expel Australia's Acting High Commissioner as deeply disappointing and unjustifiable.[MORE]
East Timor MPs reject asylum centre proposal
East Timor's parliament has passed a resolution rejecting Australia's proposal to establish a centre for asylum seekers.[MORE]
