IN FOCUS
Review of Export Policies and Programs
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, has received the Review of Export Policies and Programs undertaken by Mr David Mortimer AO and Dr John Edwards.
Mr Crean said the report would play a key role in shaping the direction of Australia's export policies and programs.
"This will help to ensure that trade policy is an integral part of our broader economic policy settings which is essential if we are to achieve a more sustainable trade performance," Mr Crean said.
The Mortimer report also evaluates the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme along with the role that free trade agreements can play in opening up new export market opportunities for Australian business.
It is anticipated that the Mortimer Review will be released publicly later in September.
Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to ASEAN
Ms Gillian Bird has been appointed Australia's first Ambassador to ASEAN.
Diplomatic Appointment - Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism
Mr William (Bill) Paterson has been appointed as Australia's new Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism. Mr Paterson will take up his position, based in Canberra, immediately.
Australia-Russia civil nuclear cooperation agreement
The Australia-Russia civil nuclear cooperation agreement is currently before the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.
Negotiations to further liberalise environmental goods and services
Under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round, negotiations are taking place on how to reduce or eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers on environmental goods and services. In order to ensure that the Australian Government's future participation in these negotiations reflects the views of all interested stakeholders we are undertaking a round of public consultations.
Australian government uses footy to deepen sport and business links with India
The Australian government through its trade promotion arm Austrade is working with the AFL to use Aussie Rules to do business with India.
Visit to Australia by H E Ambassador Celso Amorim Brazil's Minister for External Relations
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Trade
Internet Security Warning: Email scam purporting to come from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) advises that an email, purporting to come from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was sent to members of the public asking them to provide their names, email addresses and passwords to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or their email accounts would be cancelled.
DFAT confirms that it did not send out this email and would never send an email asking people to provide personal information in this manner.
Details of this email scam can be found on the ACMA website.
For more information on recognising scams and protection tips go to www.scamwatch.gov.au.