Special Edition: International Coverage

Welcome to our newsletter as domestic politics pivoted to the international arena in recent weeks with Prime Minister’s visit to Washington, delivering his major foreign policy speech and overseas delegations taking place.

Washington calling

The PM’s and Foreign Minister Marise Payne’s visit to Washington was seen as a critical moment in the AUS-USA relationship and our most important ally — it is no small gesture to have an Australian prime minister to be the guest of honour at a state dinner at the White House (one of only two held during Trump’s presidency).

Both the PM and President reiterated the shared values and partnership between the two countries on defence, security and economic grounds, with Australia pushing for USA’s greater involvement in the Indo-Pacific region as it tries to carefully navigate the relationship with China, of which Trump sought Australia’s expertise.

Lowy Institute: “In our Interest”

At one of the largest gatherings of business executives and government officials, the PM delivered the 2019 Lowy Institute’s annual lecture, focussing on Australia’s place in the world and protecting the national interest against “negative globalism” that seeks to impose a mandate from an often ill defined borderless global community and “an unaccountable internationalist bureaucracy”. To kick this off, the PM commissioned DFAT to audit Australia’s involvement with organisations such as WTO, IMF and UN. The PM also stressed that China will remain our Comprehensive Strategic Partner and should not be seen through the prism of conflict.

In response to the PM’s speech, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong spoke about Australia’s relationship with China, emphasising that this is no “diplomatic reset” — but a “new phase” in the relationship that will need to navigate the challenges that may intensify and become harder to manage in the future. Wong also noted that Australians rightfully want to understand the relationship better particularly with reports on Chinese Communist Party’s influence in politics, communities and universities.

Overseas delegations

During this period, many MPs undertake international study tours to deepen bilateral relations.

Advisory Street Director, Taleen Shamlian participated in a Federal and NSW cross-Parliamentary delegation in September to Armenia — voted by The Economist as Country of the Year in 2018.

The delegation included Federal MPs Trent Zimmerman (Member for North Sydney, Chair of House of Reps Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee), Tim Wilson (Member for Goldstein, Chair of House of Reps Economics Committee), John Alexander OAM (Member for Bennelong, Chair of Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Committee) and NSW Labor’s Hugh McDermott (Member for Prospect, Member for Law Enforcement Conduct and the Crime Commission).

The delegation met senior officials from the Armenian Government to discuss anti-corruption and governance, building bilateral economic ties, foreign direct investment, education and sports.

This is an exciting time for Armenia as it recently signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore, hosted the World Congress on IT (#WCIT) bringing together world experts on blockchain, AI and ICT industries, and hosted major world leaders (Merkel, Putin, Macron).

#armenia #economics #internationalrelations