White supremacists said to hail from southern Queensland took a trip across the border into the Northern Rivers region in order to display their ignorance & racism to the world

 

ABC News, 5 November 2024:

The white supremacist group said they had travelled from Queensland to the mountain. (Supplied)

Police are investigating after a group of white supremacists posted on social media that they had staged a rally at a sacred Indigenous site in northern New South Wales.

Warning: This story may be offensive to some readers.

More than a dozen members of the balaclava-wearing group posted images on social media platform X on October 31, which they suggested were taken on a weekend at Wollumbin Mountain, formerly known as Mount Warning.

The site, which includes a summit track, is regarded as sacred to the Aboriginal community and remains closed to the public.

The group carried a flag consistent with the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and held a banner which read, "Mt Warning for the White Man".

The men erected a sign with white supremacist messaging up at Wollumbin Mountain. (Supplied)

"Members of the National Socialist Network in Queensland travelled to climb Mount Warning last weekend," the post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said.

"White Australians established and maintained the trail for nearly a century and White Australians will decide who climbs it.

"Mt Warning for the White man!"

'Vile demonstration not welcome'

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe described the actions as "vile" and "utterly disgusting", with National Parks referring the matter to police.

"I condemn those involved," the minister said in a statement.

"It is not acceptable anywhere in NSW, whether it be a sacred Indigenous site or on our city streets.

"To these far-right extremists and neo-Nazis, who are reportedly from Queensland, you and your vile demonstration are not welcome in NSW.

"Any attempts to spread hate are taken extremely seriously. I ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers," she said....

On the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website, Wollumbin is described as "highly significant to Aboriginal people, particularly the Bundjalung nation, as a place of sacred ceremonies linked to traditional law and custom".

"Wollumbin (Mount Warning) summit track and Aboriginal Place remains closed. Decisions about the future of the summit track will be made by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in accordance with the wishes of the Aboriginal custodians," it said.

This is not the first time this year that people have deliberately chosen to give offence and inflict hurt on the Aboriginal custodians of this sacred mountain.

In August 2024, former Young Liberal and 27 year member of the Liberal Party of Australia before being elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly as a member of the Libertarian Party, John Riddick and his Libertarian mate Marc Hendrickx, in an ignorant act of defiance and self-promotion climbed Wollumbin.

IMAGE: The Daily Mail, 3 August 2024

Tweet of the Week

 

So what do you really think? pic.twitter.com/iFTgOP4LYw

— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) July 8, 2024

 

Cartoon of the Week

Cathy Wilcox

Nine Entertainment-Fairfax Resolve Monitor opinion poll results concerning the major parties since the May 2022 federal general election

A walk through the opinions, expectations and intentions of those statistically being seen as representing the national electorate......

The first Nine Entertainment-Fairfax Resolve Monitor poll after the May 2022 federal general election was published on 21 August 2022.

In answer to the question “Regardless of who you would like to win the next federal election, who do you think will actually win?” respondents answered:

The Labor Party – 55%

The Liberal-Nationals – 15%

Undecided/Too close to call – 30%.

On 18 September 2022 the result of the identical question returned a response of:

The Labor Party – 51%

The Liberal-Nationals – 16%

Undecided/Too close to call – 33%.

While the latest result to that very same question on 9 October 2022 was:

The Labor Party – 55%

The Liberal-Nationals – 16%

Undecided/Too close to call – 29%.

Across those three poll periods sitting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as “Preferred Prime Minister”:

Albanese 55% to Dutton 17%

Albanese 53% to Dutton 19%

Albanese 53% to Dutton 18%.

Again, across those three poll periods, responses to the question “Statements that might describe a party best – Is offering strong leadership” the response was:

21 August 2022

Labor – 48%

The Liberals – 17%

Someone else – 8%

Undecided – 27%

18 September 2022

Labor – 45%

The Liberals – 19%

Someone else – 8%

Undecided – 29%

9 October 2022

Labor – 46%

The Liberals – 19%

Someone else – 9%

Undecided – 27%

Similarly over the three polling periods, respondents saw Labor leading the Liberals by a significant margin when it came to having a united team behind the leader, listening & focussed on the right issues and, communicating well.

As to the poll question on 9 October 2022 as to who was performing well in their respective rolls in recent weeks, respondents replied:

Albanese

Good to Very Good – 60%

Poor to Very Poor – 25%

Undecided – 15%

Dutton

Good to Very Good – 30%

Poor to Very Poor – 41%

Undecided – 28%

When it came to the question “Which party would you put number ‘1’ on the ballot paper?” the answers came back:

21 August 2022

ALP – 42%

LNP – 28%

GRN – 12%

OAP – 5%

UAP – 2%

IND – 8%

OTH – 3%

18 September 2022

ALP – 39%

LNP – 32%

GRN – 10%

OAP – 6%

UAP – 2%

IND – 8%

OTHER – 2%

9 October 2022

ALP – 39%

LNP – 30%

GRN – 12%

OAP – 5%

UAP – 3%

IND – 9%

OTHER – 2%

Tweet of the Week

 

Poor little moderate me ... #auspol pic.twitter.com/RnXhXXneZC

— Sammy J (@sammyjcomedian) June 2, 2022

 

AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION 2022 UPDATE: AEC Tally Room Party Representation Count on Tueday, 31 May 2022 at 6:15:45 PM AEST

https://tallyroom.aec.gov.au/HousePartyRepresentationLeading-27966.htm
Click on image to enlarge

Mocking #ScottyFromMarketing is the latest way to while away the countdown to polling day

 

Where are the people of Cook's manners? — if you're going to be in propaganda for the Prime Minister you should smile or go be in an attack ad for Labor. pic.twitter.com/n2OEFcX7L0

— Dan Ilic 🚠 (@danilic) May 4, 2022

 

 

Australian Federal Election 2022: inflation and cost of living a live issue 23 days out from polling day

Australia recorded its largest quarterly & annual inflation increase in 21 years in the first Quarter of 2022.

The Cost of Living Index (CPI) rose 2.1 per cent cent in March 2022 quarter and 5.1 per cent annually - again largest annual change in 21 years. 

That 5.1 per cent exceeds the 2021 annual rate of 3.5 per cent, as well as the overly optimistic projected inflation figure of 4.5 to 4.6 per cent floated by some economists for the March quarter.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, media release, 27 April 2022, excepts:

The most significant contributors to the rise in the March quarter CPI were new dwellings (+5.7 per cent), automotive fuel (+11.0 per cent) and tertiary education (+6.3 per cent)…..

Notable rises were also recorded across the food group (+2.8 per cent), reflecting high transport, fertiliser, packaging and ingredient costs, as well as COVID-related disruptions and herd restocking due to favourable weather. Main contributors to the rise in food prices included vegetables (+6.6 per cent), waters, soft drinks and juices (+5.6 per cent), fruit (+4.9 per cent) and beef (+7.6 per cent)…..

The grocery component of the group, which excludes meals out and takeaway foods, rose 4.0 per cent in the March quarter." Ms Marquardt said.

Prices for other grocery items, such as non-durable household products (+6.7 per cent), which includes products such as toilet paper and paper towels, also rose in the March quarter….

The price of goods (+6.6 per cent) rose more strongly through the year than that of services (+3.0 per cent)…..

It appears that cost of living increase is now running significantly ahead of wages growth in Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's one-off election campaign bribe of $250 for eligible Centrelink/DVA recipients won't even touch the edges of the yawning gap which has developed between income and costs due to the broad base of rising prices. In fact the positive impact of this so-called Cost of Living Payment is unlikely to last beyond polling day in many low-income family households.

Cartoons of the Week

Cathy Wilcox

David Rowe

Glen Le Lievre

Candidates standing in Page Electorate at 21 May 2022 Federal General Election - Part 4. Brett Duroux, in his own words

 

Brett Duroux
IMAGE: Facebook

Brett Duroux, Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia (IPA). Chairperson at Gugiyn Balun Aboriginal Corporation since November 2021 and works at Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Clarence Valley Independent, 19 January 2022:

A proud Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr man, Mr Duroux said in representing the IPA at the federal election, he is campaigning for his local community to give them a strong voice and leadership, to promote respect for the land, encourage unity and equality and advocate the policies of his party in parliament….

While he had never previously considered entering politics, he is looking forward to a lot of legwork during the next few months and spending time meeting and speaking with members of the Clarence Valley community.

“What interests me is talking to people about their concerns and getting answers for them, and helping my community in any way I can,” he said.

“I believe in positive change for our community.

“I also want to focus on strengthening the relationships between Land Councils and traditional owners and encourage them to work together.”

Mr Duroux said he is looking forward to campaigning in the lead up to the federal election and is welcoming community consultation.

Coast Community News, 24 November 2021:

….last week Brett Duroux, the IPA’s candidate for the Page electorate on the mid north coast, visited the area to see the cultural site firsthand.

He said he wanted to learn more about NSW Forestry Corporation’s Harvest and Haul Plan which could potentially impact the site.

“Forestry’s plans are concerning as the cultural site is not identified as such on the harvest maps that they operate under, and instead are noted as being an ‘other significant area/non harvest area (OSF)’ with no buffer required for logging,” he said.

“The plans state that trails and roads can be used for haulage and snigging if they traverse through the exclusion area.

“This is extremely alarming considering a cultural site is at stake and the rock platform the site is located on has already been damaged in the past by heavy machinery tracks.”

He said Ourimbah State Forest provided habitat for many native species including the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo, Large Owl and Forest Bats.

“The OSF is also a known koala habitat, despite Forestry’s plans stating otherwise….

The Forestry Corporation’s Harvesting and Haul plan covers an area of over 370ha of which 108.4ha is deemed “harvestable”.

The expected yield is 3,900 cubic metres, of which 1,000 will be sawlogs, 150 cubic metres will be poles, with the remaining 2,750 cubic metres being pulp, firewood and low-quality salvage…..

Duroux said more than three billion animals, more than one billion of them in NSW, were estimated to have been killed or displaced in recent bushfires, including some rare or threatened animal, plant and insect species, with the complete loss of some species believed to be permanent.

“In NSW alone, more than half of the native forests were burned in the 2019/20 bushfires, with one billion native animals killed or displaced… and yet, the NSW Government continues to desecrate our native forest and cultural sites, to harvest pulp and firewood for an industry that runs at significant financial loss.

“In 2019/20 the profit from native forest logging was $28 a hectare, equating to less than 20 cents for each mature tree logged.

“The Government provided $136M in grants over the past 10 years to this unprofitable industry, equating to a huge loss for NSW, both financially and environmentally.”

Duroux said he believed Central Coast Council had colluded on the plans despite its ongoing public relations campaign applauding the Coast’s Aboriginal heritage and OSF, winning awards for being an Adventure Tourism destination.

He said that the Indigenous Party supported Camp Ourimbah, a small contingent of very dedicated environmental caretakers, who take peaceful direct action to stop native forest logging…..

Duroux said the Indigenous Party of Australia would be writing to local politicians and State ministers, including Environment Minister, Matt Kean, demanding an end to the unprofitable, damaging practice of logging in native forests, including Ourimbah State Forest.

Less than 50 days out from a federal general election Roy Morgan Research reveals that by March 2022 "government leaders dominate the Net Distrust Score rankings: Prime Minister Scott Morrison is the most distrusted politician in Australia, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce the second and third most distrusted sitting politicians across the country"

Roy Morgan Research, 22 March 2022:

Since March 2019 government trust & distrust have fluctuated but 2021 ended with soaring levels of distrust

March 22 2022 Finding No. 8933 Topic: Press Release Country: Australia

Roy Morgan surveys on ‘Trust’ and ‘Distrust’ of government and government services show distrust levels soared in the second half of 2021 while trust in government fell after sexual assault allegations in Parliament house emerged in early 2021 and were followed by further allegations against Government MPs Christian Porter, Alan Tudge and Andrew Laming.

A look at trust and distrust during the term of the current government shows distrust in government and Government services has consistently far exceeded the level of trust leading to a consistently negative ‘Net Trust Score’ since early 2019.

During the early stages of the pandemic there was a clear increase in trust in Government and government services, however this higher than usual level of trust peaked at the end of 2020 and early in 2021 before the sexual assault allegations from Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins emerged.

The sexual assault allegations surrounding the Morrison Government have lingered over the past year and from June 2021 the emergence of the ‘Delta variant’ laid bare the Government’s lack of preparedness for another outbreak of COVID-19.

The extended lockdowns in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in the second half of 2021 along with the failure to procure enough vaccines and ‘Rapid Antigen Tests’ later in the year when the ‘Omicron variant’ emerged have seen distrust levels in government increase to record levels.

Government & Government services: Trust, Distrust and Net Trust (March 2019 – Dec. 2021)

Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia). Risk Monitor. Base: Australians 14+, Latest 12 months average n=21,314; Latest 12 months average for industry n=700. Includes ABS, ACCC, AEC, ASIC, ATO, Centrelink, Comcare, CSIRO, Defence Force, Education Department, Federal Government, Government (unspecified), Local Government, Medicare, My Health Record, NDIS, Queensland Health, State Government, VicHealth.

According to Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine: “If we take a much longer view and go back to 2007, we see that during the Labor disunity of the Rudd / Gillard years distrust in the Australian government was very high while simultaneously any belief that the government was doing a good job was really low.

“That pattern remained pretty constant through the Abbott, Turnbull and early Morrison governments.

“Then in 2019 when Scott Morrison won the ‘unwinnable’ election things changed - more people believed the government was doing a good job and fewer people distrusted the government.

“But by June 2021 it all went into reverse - Black Summer bushfires, the end of JobKeeper, parliamentary sex scandals, COVID vaccination delays – all sent trust plummeting and distrust climbing.”

Government distrust (red) vs. Government doing a good job running the country (green)

Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia). Base: Australians 14+; quarterly average.

“By March 2022 this pattern was being mirrored in the trust and distrust of our political leaders.”

From a snap SMS survey conducted in early March, Roy Morgan can reveal that government leaders dominate the Net Distrust Score rankings: Prime Minister Scott Morrison is the most distrusted politician in Australia, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce the second and third most distrusted sitting politicians across the country.

Source: Roy Morgan Snap SMS survey conducted on February 28 – March 1, 2022. Base: Australians aged 14+. n=1,409.

Clive Palmer (not in parliament and therefore not in the rankings) has the highest Net Distrust Score (net scores are calculated by subtracting distrust scores from trust scores). Taking distrust on its own however Scott Morrison is more distrusted than Clive Palmer.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has improved his Net Distrust Score ranking to be in 9th position (from 4th place in March 2020).

“With Peter Dutton the second most distrusted politician in Australia and Josh Frydenberg almost out of the top ten, this may well become crucial if the Coalition loses the May election and there’s a leadership battle between Frydenberg & Dutton,” said Ms. Levine.

“Australian political contests are no longer purely won on trust, they are lost on distrust.”

The March survey reveals the political reverse when it comes to the most trusted political leaders in the country. The ALP dominates the Net Trust Score rankings with Penny Wong in the #1 position.

Source: Roy Morgan Snap SMS survey conducted on February 28 – March 1, 2022. Base: Australians aged 14+. n=1,409.

Anthony Albanese has improved his Net Trust Score ranking to move from 8th position in March 2020 to 2nd place by March 2022. Looking solely at trust, the Opposition Leader is the most trusted politician in Australia.

According to Michele Levine, “The Labor Party is the big winner in this survey with Anthony Albanese the most trusted sitting politician, followed by Penny Wong, Tanya Plibersek and WA Premier Mark McGowan.

“My take-out from the significant win for Mark McGowan in last year’s WA election and the big swing away from the increasingly distrusted Coalition in Saturday’s South Australian election is that the upcoming federal election will be won or lost on how distrusted a party’s leaders are.

“And a final word on the SA election, my view is not so much that the various polls got it right but that respondents to the pre-election polls did on election day what they said they were going to do.” 

Riposte of the Week

 

Australian Prime Minister & Liberal MP for Cook Scott Morrison, to the cameras in Alice Springs, 18 February 2022: 

“I'm the son of a police officer. I understand law and order issues.”

In response, 

Mr. Bailey OAM to the Twitterverse, 18 February 2022:

“Two Legs is the daughter of a boilermaker/ farmer. She knows how to weld sugar cane.”

Sixteen days before the Morrison Government signed the Australia-United Kingdom-United States of America (AUKUS) pact, Morrison & Co formalised another set of diplomatic, economic, international & regional security undertaking with France. Here are all 22 points....

 

When on 16 September 2021 Australian Prime Minister and Liberal MP for Cook Scott Morrison announced the15 September AUKUS pact, a new 'enhanced' trilateral security partnership with the United Kingdom and United States of America along with the cancellation of a submarine fleet contract, it was barely seventeen days after he and his government had signed off on the 22 point undertakings in the 30 August Inaugural Australia-France 2+2 Ministerial Consultations. 

It is no wonder that France is feeling betrayed. The very existence of AUKUS put into doubt every line of this inaugural ministerial agreement spanning five decades.

 

 A fact that the French Government recognises when it speaks of the need to redefine its relationship with Australia.

No less a person than one of the signatories to the Australia-France inaugural ministerial agreement, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, firmly denies there had been any advance consultations with France ahead of Morrison's announcement.

The French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, in a 43 minute speech at the National Press Club on 3 November 2021 clearly differentiated between the Australian people and their current federal Government. On one hand expressing a high regard for Australia and Australians and a polite contempt for a deceitful, untrustworthy Morrison Government and "certain aspects of the Canberra Bubble and its secret cities practices". He confirmed the French Government's firm belief it had been misled and openly lied to by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Inaugural Australia-France 2+2 Ministerial Consultations

Joint statement with:

• Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France
• Florence Parly, Minister for the Armed Forces of France
• The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence of Australia

30 August 2021

1 - At the inaugural Australia-France Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Consultations, Ministers reflected on the strength of our strategic partnership, in promoting an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and a rules-based international order that underpins long-term security and prosperity.

2 - These discussions built on Prime Minister Morrison's official visit to Paris in June 2021, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, where the two leaders agreed on common bilateral, regional and global priorities.

3 - Ministers reaffirmed the shared values, interests and principles that underpin the bilateral relationship, as reflected in the Joint Statement of Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Australia and France, and the Vision Statement on the Australia-France Relationship. They agreed to publish a report on the Australia-France initiative (AFiniti) to highlight the depth and breadth of cooperative activities.

4 - Ministers reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation to overcome the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and its Delta variant in the Indo-Pacific, and agreed to continue to support regional countries' responses, including through the timely and equitable distribution of safe and effective vaccines to enable comprehensive coverage across the Pacific and globally as soon as possible. They reaffirmed their common support to the ACT Accelerator and to the COVAX facility towards reaching this goal, including through vaccine dose-sharing commitments and increasing production capacities.

5 - Ministers highlighted the importance of strengthening the immediate global response to address climate change and environmental degradation. They recommitted to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and to intensify global action in the lead up to COP26 to decarbonize their economies, pursue collaboration on renewable energies and achieve a fair transition. Ministers especially welcomed collaboration on zero and low emissions technologies, including hydrogen, and looked forward to further investments in the clean energy transition. They also reaffirmed their determination to reach an ambitious framework on biodiversity protection at COP 15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

6 - Both sides committed to counter efforts to exploit the COVID-19 crisis to advance geopolitical ambitions, including by addressing escalations in foreign interference, disinformation and malicious cyber activity. Australia and France will cooperate further to apply international law to digital technologies by developing common rules securing stronger and more stable infrastructure against cyber-attacks. Ministers committed to promoting economic openness and opposing coercive economic practices, which undermine rules-based international trade.

7 - Australia and France agreed to cooperate to uphold the integrity of the multilateral system and protect international rules, norms and values. Ministers committed to ensure multilateral institutions are fit-for-purpose, open and transparent, accountable to member states and free from undue influence and politicisation. They reaffirmed their continued engagement within the Alliance for Multilateralism launched by France and Germany.

8 - Both sides agreed to work together to promote their shared democratic principles and defend the universality of human rights.

International and Regional Security

9 - As partners committed for many years to helping Afghanistan build its future, Ministers expressed concern at the deepening humanitarian crisis. They condemned in the strongest possible terms the attacks carried out on 26 August and joined their Afghan, US and UK friends in mourning their terrible loss. Both sides called on the Taliban to cease all violence against civilians and respect international humanitarian law and the human rights all Afghans are entitled to, including women and girls. They called on the Taliban to fulfil their commitment to allow for the safe and unhindered departure of Afghans and foreign citizens who wish to leave the country, including after 31 August 2021. Both sides strongly supported the international community's statements of 29 August and 15 August, and agreed that any future Afghan government must adhere to Afghanistan's international obligations and commit to protect against terrorism; safeguard the human rights of all Afghans, particularly women, children, and ethnic and religious minorities; uphold the rule of law; allow unhindered and unconditional humanitarian access; and counter human and drug trafficking effectively. Ministers called on all parties in Afghanistan to work in good faith to establish a genuinely inclusive and representative government, including with the meaningful participation of women and minority groups.

10 - Ministers discussed opportunities for closer cooperation on the implementation of their respective Indo-Pacific strategies, including in the context of the updated French strategic framework for the Indo-Pacific. They welcomed the willingness of the European Union to strengthen its participation in regional fora and its role as a cooperative partner to contribute to the stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development of the region in the framework of the upcoming European Union Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

11 - Ministers underscored the importance of the strong and enduring commitment of other partners, including the United States, and Indo-Pacific partners in upholding an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law. They reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN centrality and the critical role of ASEAN-led fora, which sit at the apex of the regional architecture, in promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity. They affirmed their support for the principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and to progressing practical cooperation under its four priority areas.

12 - Both sides voiced serious concerns about the situation in the South China Sea. Ministers expressed their strong opposition to destabilising or coercive actions that could increase tensions and called for all disputes to be resolved in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law and agreed to closer maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including through future joint transits.

13 - Ministers underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. They expressed support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations, in accordance with the organisations' statutes, to strengthen global cooperation on relevant issues.

14 - Ministers expressed grave concerns about credible reports of severe human rights abuses against persons belonging to Uyghur and other Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and about the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms. Ministers renewed their call for China to grant urgent, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent international observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

15 - Ministers underscored their serious concerns about the crisis in Myanmar, including the rapidly deteriorating COVID-19 situation, and its implications for regional stability. They called on the military regime in Myanmar to immediately end the violence, cease measures to curtail freedom of expression, release all those arbitrarily detained and revert the country back to its democratic path. Ministers welcomed the appointment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam as the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy on Myanmar, stressed the need for a political dialogue inclusive of all relevant parties and urged the Myanmar military to engage with ASEAN to implement the “Five Point Consensus” fully and swiftly.

16 - Australia and France reaffirmed their commitment to trilateral cooperation with India on maritime safety and security, marine and environmental issues, and multilateral engagement. They commended India's prominent role in the Indian Ocean. Ministers agreed to work closely in regional fora, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, to foster cooperation and ensure Indian Ocean regional architecture has the capacity to address regional challenges.

17 - Ministers underscored the importance of promoting dialogue with Pacific Islands countries as recalled during the 5th France-Oceania Summit, held virtually on 19 July 2021. Ministers noted that as a Pacific nation, France brings a unique perspective to our region while amplifying the Pacific's priorities on the global stage. They agreed to support Pacific Island countries' development and resilience, particularly through coordinated projects, including on critical infrastructure. They also agreed to hold a biennial ministerial meeting on the Pacific with the Foreign Affairs and International Development and Pacific Ministers for Australia and the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Ministers for France. They reaffirmed their continued commitment to providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to our Pacific family in times of need, notably through the France-Australia-New Zealand (FRANZ) partnership, under France's chairmanship for the next two years. Ministers agreed to enhance military interoperability, in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including through exercises Croix du Sud, Equateur and Marara.

Bilateral cooperation

18 - Australia and France welcomed the growing defence relationship and discussed practical ways to strengthen military-to-military cooperation. Ministers welcomed Australia's support for France's participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, having contributed observers to this year's exercise. Australia will work with the US and France to determine the size and scope of France's participation.

19 - Ministers agreed to begin negotiations on enhancing and diversifying France's military cooperation with Australia, in support of France's force posture in the region. The negotiations demonstrate Australia and France's shared commitment to a secure, stable and inclusive Indo-Pacific, in line with France's 2021 Indo-Pacific Strategy and Australia's 2020 Defence Strategic Update. Ministers committed to developing the concept for decision by their governments in the first quarter of 2022.

20 - Australia and France agreed to closer cooperation on military exercises in all three services, including exercises La Perouse, Peronne and Pitch Black, and regular information exchanges. They underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and endorsed efforts underway to develop a regional plan for closer cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) and French Polynesia (FAPF). Ministers discussed expanding operational-level cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides undertook to strengthen their support for Pacific Island countries, in particular through the Western Pacific Naval Symposium and the Pacific Quadrilateral Dialogue in order to enhance participating countries' naval capabilities and support maritime surveillance operations.

21 - Both sides committed to deepen defence industry cooperation and enhance their capability edge in the region. Ministers underlined the importance of the Future Submarine program. They agreed to strengthen military scientific research cooperation through a strategic partnership between the Defence Science and Technology Group and the Directorate General for Armaments.

22 - Ministers agreed to deepen space cooperation, including on the operational management of the space domain and space capabilities, including space science and technology research. They agreed to actively work together in international fora to further promote norms of responsible behaviour in space.

23 - Both countries underscored the importance of building more secure, reliable and sustainable supply chains in critical minerals, including rare earths. With this in mind, the Ministers have established a Critical Mineral Dialogue which would provide a strong basis to support Australia and France's strategic, low carbon and economic security ambition.

24 - Ministers recalled the close and long-standing collaboration of our countries in Antarctica, including our engagement in the Antarctic Treaty system and in Antarctic science and research.

25 - Ministers agreed to hold the next Australia-France 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations in 2022.

Media enquiries

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