Australia Archives

Politics

US State Department: Pompeo’s Call with Australian Prime Minister

Washington, DC (STL.News) The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke yesterday with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. During the call, the Secretary and the Prime Minister affirmed the unbreakable bond that exists between the United States and Australia and committed to continue working together to deepen and broaden the U.S.-Australia Alliance. Secretary Pompeo thanked Prime Minister Morrison for his steadfast support in promoting our shared values of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and our common strategic interests, even in the face of economic threats from the People’s Republic of China. They noted the increasing importance of the Quad’s collective efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacif...

Politics

Foreign Ministers’ joint statement on arrests in Hong Kong

Ottawa, Ontario (STL.News) Global Affairs Canada - “We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, underscore our serious concern at the mass arrests of 55 politicians and activists in Hong Kong for subversion under the National Security Law. “The National Security Law is a clear breach of the Sino-British joint Declaration and undermines the 'One Country, Two Systems’ framework. It has curtailed the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. It is clear that the National Security Law is being used to eliminate dissent and opposing political views. “We call on the Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong without fear of...

Politics

Third Annual U.S.-Australia Energy Security Dialogue

Joint Statement: Third Annual U.S.-Australia Energy Security Dialogue (STL.News) The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Australia on the occasion of the Third Annual U.S.-Australia Energy Security Dialogue The U.S. Department of State and the Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy, and Resources acknowledge the following: (a) The U.S. Department of State hosted the third annual U.S.-Australia Energy Security Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 2020 in virtual format. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Virginia Palmer and Duncan McIntyre, First Assistant Secretary and Head of Energy Efficiency Division at the Australian Department of Industry, Sc...

Politics

Michael R. Pompeo With Jan Jekielek of The Epoch Times

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Jan Jekielek of The Epoch Times’ American Thought Leaders Program (STL.News) QUESTION: Secretary Mike Pompeo, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders. SECRETARY POMPEO: It’s great to be with you. Thanks for the invitation to be here and have this great conversation today. QUESTION: Well, we’re going to focus on your “distrust and verify” approach to China and on religious freedom as well, since we don’t have a ton of time. I’d love to talk to you about all sorts of things. So in – when you were at – speaking at the Nixon Library, and this speech that kind of capped off the series of four — SECRETARY POMPEO: Mm-hmm. QUESTION: — about the approach to China, you mentioned that Chinese dissidents had been warning for decades...

Politics

Pompeo’s Call with Australian Foreign Minister Payne

Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Australian Foreign Minister Payne The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown: (STL.News) Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne. During the call, Secretary Pompeo and the Foreign Minister Payne reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Australia Alliance, which is based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, common strategic interests, and our enduring “mateship.” The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the growing importance of the Quad’s collective efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, and our ongoing coordination to counter the escalating threats from the PRC to our economies. Source: STATE.Gov

Business

Initial Operational Capability Declared for Australia’s RAAF F-35A

CANBERRA, Australia (STL.News) Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, CSC, and Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price MP, today declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for Australia's F-35As, making Australia the seventh country to declare IOC for its F-35 fleet. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will sustain the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) F-35A fleet, which will play a crucial role in defending Australia's national interests. "This IOC ushers in a new era of Australian air power that gives the RAAF transformational and game-changing capabilities," said Joe North, Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive. "As the Original Equipment Manufacturer and lead industry sustainment partner for Australia's F-35A fleet, Lockheed Martin congratulates the RAAF on a...

General

Criminal Enterprise Seized in Singapore and Repatriated

Millions in Assets of Encrypted Telecommunications Criminal Enterprise Seized in Singapore and Repatriated to the United States Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor (619) 546-9733 and Mark W. Pletcher (619) 546-9714 NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – December 14, 2020 SAN DIEGO (STL.News) Four bank accounts containing $3,971,468.40 in illicit funds generated from Phantom Secure, an encrypted telecommunications network used by transnational organized criminal syndicates, were seized by authorities in Singapore and repatriated to the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California announced today. Vincent Ramos, the chief executive of Canada-based Phantom Secure, and four of his associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2018 on charges that they ...

General

Australia’s economy rebounds sharply in Q3, growth beats forecast

(STL.News) Australia's economy rebounded sharply in the third quarter from a coronavirus-induced recession as consumer spending surged, though the country's top central banker signaled monetary policy will stay accommodative for a while. ? YouTube video provided courtesy of WION News STL.News References: YouTube

General

Temperature soars, worsens conditions to fight Australian bush-fires

(STL.News) Fire fighters continue their struggle to put out a massive bush-fire that has been raging on over 6 weeks now in Australia. The fires have already destroyed the 40% of the UNESCO world heritage listed Fraser island. YouTube video provided courtesy of WION News STL.News References: YouTube

General

Can China afford to be so aggressive?

(STL.News) China is provoking India, fighting the U.S, and Australia, but can Beijing afford to be so aggressive? Does it have the money? Reports say China is under severe financial stress. YouTube video provided courtesy of WION News STL.News References: YouTube

General

Australia Joins India, US and Japan to Fight China

(STL.News) Seen as the coming together of four navies against growing hegemonic tendencies of China in oceans, a senior commander of the Indian Navy on Saturday said the Malabar-2020 wargames have shown an “extraordinary degree of interoperability” among the four participating forces. YouTube video provided courtesy of Military News YouTube Channel STL.News References: YouTube

General

The COVID-19 World Economy

(STL.News) This article is the latest of a series of articles that will examine the impact of the Covid-19 Economy in Australia. Over the past few years, Australia has been experiencing an unprecedented growth in the number of young adult migrants, and this has been especially true in the construction industry, where over the last two years the number of workers on the road-building sites has been on a growth of over a third. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DAC) has recently undertaken the development of a report into the future workforce needs of Australia, and the result is a report entitled "Australia's Future Workforce: A Sectoral Outlook". The report is based on interviews with business leaders, representatives of different types of industries, as well as government ...

Politics

US Partners with Australia & Japan for Secure Digital Connectivity in Palau

The United States Partners with Australia and Japan to Expand Reliable and Secure Digital Connectivity in Palau Washington, DC (STL.News) The US Department of State released the following statement: The United States, in partnership with the governments of Australia, Japan, and Palau, will finance the construction of an undersea fiber optic cable to the Republic of Palau valued at approximately $30 million. The project will connect to a new U.S. International Development Finance Corporation-financed undersea cable, the world’s longest, spanning from Singapore to the United States. The new spur cable—Palau’s second—will help ensure reliable, secure digital connectivity in Palau, and marks the first project to be delivered under the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment in ...

Politics

US Department of State: Pompeo’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne

Washington, DC (STL.News) The US Department Of State released the following statement: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne today in Tokyo, Japan on the sidelines of the U.S.-Australia-India-Japan Ministerial (“the Quad”). Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Payne emphasized the importance of the Quad discussions to the promotion of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed their shared concerns regarding the People’s Republic of China’s malign activity in the region. Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Payne for Australia’s leadership and coordination as a vital partner with the United States on COVID-19 response and recovery. CLICK to VIEW SOURCE

Business

Queensland to Assemble Boeing’s First Australian-designed, developed Unmanned Aircraft

AUSTRALIA (STL.News) Queensland is poised to take another bold step in aerospace and advanced manufacturing with an historic opportunity to be the final production home for unmanned defence aircraft – the first military aircraft to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a visionary new partnership with Boeing Australia means more high-skilled jobs, local supply opportunities and defence industry stimulus as Queensland continues to recover and grow from the COVID downturn. “The creation of additional new aerospace capability could see unmanned defence aircraft produced here by the middle of the decade, with prototype testing and certification taking place before that,” the premier said. “We are carrying out our plan...

Entertainment

Princess Cruises Announces Australia & New Zealand Itineraries for 2021-22

One of the Largest Deployments Offered with Five Ships Sailing to 82 Desired Destinations in 19 Countries SANTA CLARITA, CA (STL.News) With once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for seaside exploration, cultural immersion, unique wildlife, regional wine and magical landscapes, Princess Cruises announced destination-rich itineraries for the cruise line’s upcoming Australia and New Zealand 2021-2022 season, on sale September 16, 2020, that also includes visiting popular South Pacific tropical destinations of Fiji, Papa New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. One of its largest deployments ever offered, five ships will sail to 82 destinations in 19 countries on 59 unique itineraries. Royal Princess, Emerald Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess, and Pacific Princess will cruise this season...

Politics

U.S. & Concerned Nations Stand Together for Democratic Change in Venezuela

Washington, DC (STL.News) Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of the US Department of State released the following statement: Today the United States joins democracies around the world to reiterate our support for Venezuela’s democratic forces as they defend the rights of the Venezuelan people. The joint declaration calls for a transitional government that will hold free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections. Amidst flagrant human rights abuses and violent coercive tactics, the illegitimate Maduro regime is attempting systematically to destroy Venezuela’s ability to conduct free elections. International standards for free and fair elections are not even close to being met. This joint declaration demonstrates we are not alone in our resolve to strengthen support for a transitiona...

Politics

US Department of State: Joint Statement on the Erosion of Rights in Hong Kong

Washington, DC (STL.News) The US Department of State released the following statement: We the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State are gravely concerned by the Hong Kong government’s unjust disqualification of candidates and disproportionate postponement of Legislative Council elections. These moves have undermined the democratic process that has been fundamental to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. We express deep concern at Beijing’s imposition of the new National Security Law, which is eroding the Hong Kong people’s fundamental rights and liberties. We support the legitimate expectations of the people of Hong Kong to elect Legislative Council representatives via genuinely free, fair, and credible el...