2017
Australia Welcomes New United Nations Security Council Resolution Against North Korea
23 December 2017: The Australian Government welcomes the strong new measures that were unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council yesterday in New York. Read More...
Deepening Australia’s engagement with the Muslim world
15 December 2017: Australia’s Special Envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr Ahmed Fahour AO, visited Malaysia for a one-day official visit yesterday. Read More...
2018 Endeavour Scholarships and fellowships
15 December 2017: Eleven Malaysian researchers, academics and students are headed to Australia next year as winners of the prestigious Australia Awards Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships, funded by the Australian Government. Read More...
Tips for safe and healthy holiday travel overseas.
15 December 2017: We remind Australians to travel smart over the holidays, and start their travel planning well before departure. Read More...
Ratification of OPCAT caps year of significant human rights achievements for Turnbull Government
15 December 2017: The Turnbull Government today announces another significant victory for human rights in Australia, ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Read more...
International Human Rights Day
10 December 2017: Today marks the anniversary of one of the most significant commitments ever made by the international community – the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Read more...
2018 New Colombo Plan Scholars
27 November 2017: Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, have announced 120 New Colombo Plan scholarships to talented undergraduates to live, study and work in the Indo-Pacific region in 2018. Read more...
Opportunity, Security, Strength: The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper
23 November 2017: The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper is the first comprehensive review of Australia's international engagement for 14 years. It delivers a framework to ensure our prosperity and security by guiding our international efforts over the next decade and beyond. Read more…
Counter-Terrorism Financing Working Group Key to Security in South East Asia
22 November 2017: A new group made up of nations across South East Asia is set to disrupt terrorist groups, their sources of funding, the movement and use of funds and their economic sustainment in the region. Read more...
Non-Profit Groups at Medium Risk of Funding Terror
22 November 2017: The first regional risk assessment of non-profit organisations (NPOs) across eight Asia-Pacific nations has identified a medium risk of terrorism financing. Read more...
High Commissioner to Malaysia
20 November 2017: Announcement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the appointment of Mr Andrew Goledzinowski AM as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Malaysia. Read more...
Drugs fight and national security on agenda in SE Asian meetings
20 November 2017: The Coalition Government’s commitment to the fight against illicit drugs has been reaffirmed, with the signing today of an extension of Taskforce Storm in Thailand. Read more...
Australia and Malaysia working on reef and marine issues
17 November 2017: Australia and Malaysia have signed an agreement to work together on marine conservation issues, including coral reef restoration and techniques to tackle crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. Read more...
Foreign Policy White Paper Public Consultation Report
10 November 2017: The Australian Government will shortly publish a Foreign Policy White Paper, the first since 2003. Thank you to everyone around the world, including Malaysia, who helped inform the development of the Foreign Policy Whitepaper. Read a summary of the main themes and issues raised by the hundreds of individuals and organisations who made public submissions. Read more...
Further Humanitarian Assistance to Bangladesh and Myanmar
23 October 2017: The Australian Government remains deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Read more...
Combatting transnational crime and violent extremism in our region
20 October 2017: The Coalition Government will establish a new program to strengthen legislative responses to transnational crime and violent extremism in the Indo-Pacific region. Read more...
Australia elected to the Human Rights Council
17 October 2017: Australia was elected overnight by a majority of United Nations member states to serve a three-year term on the Human Rights Council, the world’s peak body for promoting and protecting human rights. Read more...
Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton arrives in Malaysia today
16 October 2017: Following much anticipation, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™ (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay reaches Malaysia today for a five day Relay. Read more...
Faith, Fashion, Fusion: Muslim Women's Style in Australia Exhibition Launch in Malaysia
13 October 2017: The Australian High Commission Malaysia is pleased to announce the launch of the Faith, Fashion, Fusion: Muslim women’s style in Australia exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM). Read more...
World Day Against the Death Penalty
10 October 2017: The Australian Government reaffirms its opposition to capital punishment on World Day Against the Death Penalty. Read more...
Australia-ASEAN Council Grants
10 October 2017: I congratulate the 16 recipients of Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) grants for 2017-18. Read more...
Indo-Pacific Health Security Initiative
8 October 2017: Today I launch the Australian Government’s Indo-Pacific Health Security Initiative to combat the challenges of existing and emerging infectious diseases for Australia and our region. Read more...
International Cyber Engagement Strategy
4 October 2017: Today we launch a new International Cyber Engagement Strategy outlining our cyber affairs agenda for the next three years, and creating the environment for digital trade to generate economic growth and opportunities for Australia and Australians. Read more...
UN General Assembly
22 September 2017: Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on 22 September. In her statement, she highlighted Australia’s range of contributions to the UN’s security, development and humanitarian agenda, noting that Australia would continue to work with others to protect an international rules-based order that ensures all states can pursue their interests securely and that supports cooperative responses to global challenges. Read more...
Foreign Minister's address to the Asia Society
22 September 2017: Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, addressed the Asia Society in New York. Her speech outlined the major strategic, economic, demographic and technological challenges and opportunities facing the region. She also highlighted the importance of the international rules-based order, liberal institutions and the role of the US in maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity. Read more...
Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Myanmar and Bangladesh
19 September 2017: The Australian Government is deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Read more...
Multi-million dollar plan to block terror funding in South-East Asia
14 September 2017: $4.6 million will be invested to block funding to Islamic State-aligned terrorist groups in South-East Asia, through a Federal Government initiative to be led by financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC. Read more...
Australia Awards 2018
7 September 2017: Today I announce the Australian Government will provide more than 3,700 Australia Awards Scholarships and Fellowships in 2018 to emerging leaders from 40 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, to study in Australia and the Pacific. Read more...
2018 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grants
25 August 2017: Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP and Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham today announced the successful applicants for grants under the 2018 New Colombo Plan mobility program. Read more...
Government and business working to combat modern slavery
25 August 2017: Today I will co-chair the first meeting of the Bali Process Government and Business Forum (Perth Forum) with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Perth. Read more...
Australia steps up efforts to prevent exploitation of foreign workers
22 August 2017: The Australian Government is again reminding Malaysians planning to work in Australia to be alert to visa scams and to carefully check their visa conditions. Read more...
Consular Strategy 2017-19
25 July 2017: Foreign Minister launched the Australia Government’s Consular Strategy 2017-19, which will guide Australia’s consular priorities for the next three years and ensure our service maintains world’s best practice. Read more...
Award-winning FTA Portal expanded
24 July 2017: The Turnbull Government has delivered on our election commitment to allow businesses to access information on all of Australia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) from a single website. Read more...
Combined exercise keeps Malaysian and Australian borders safe
24 July 2017: The Malaysian Coast Guard (MCG), supported by the Australian Border Force (ABF), have completed Operation Redback VIII; an on-water operation to combat maritime security threats facing both nations, including people smuggling and human trafficking. Read more...
Australia Signs The International Solar Alliance
19 July 2017: The Australian Government has formally indicated its intention to join the International Solar Alliance, an important initiative to boost cooperation on new technologies and provide new opportunities for Australia’s world-leading expertise. Read more...
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's Indo-Pacific Oration
18 July 2017: Foreign Minister Bishop spoke about the type of Indo-Pacific region that Australia believes will best support its ongoing development and prosperity – a region that has a dynamic, open and integrated regional economy, underpinned by a respected and predictable international rules-based order. Read more...
Australia Group’s fight against Chemical and Biological Weapons
25 June 2017: The Australian Government is calling on the international community to take a tougher stance against chemical and biological weapons following a re-emergence of their usage. Read more...
Supporting Disaster Preparedness and Response in Our Region
16 June 2017: Today I announce a new partnership with six Australian NGOs to help reduce the impact of disasters and humanitarian crises, particularly in the Pacific. Read more...
Prime Minister Turnbull's keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue
2 June 2017: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spoke about cooperation and strategic stability at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. He said maintaining the rule of law in our region and respecting the sovereignty of nations large and small were key to continued peace and stability. Read more…
Australia Committed to Paris Agreement on Climate Change
2 June 2017: The Turnbull Government today reaffirms Australia's strong commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol. Read more...
Launch of Australian Food Trail
2 May 2017: The Australian Food Trail, a month long campaign organised by the Australian High Commission, Malaysia, celebrates Australia’s exciting, creative and multicultural food scene as well as the strong people-to-people links between Australia and Malaysia. Read more...
Humanitarian Assistance to Yemen
24 April 2017: Today I announce that the Australian Government will provide a package of assistance to address the immediate needs of the people of Yemen. Read more...
Australia and Malaysia celebrate 25 years of Joint Defence Program
27 February 2017: The Australian High Commission hosted a reception on 23 February to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program (MAJDP). Read more...
Australia and Malaysia sign MOU on Sports Cooperation
23 February 2017: Australia and Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Sport Cooperation. Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Mr Rod Smith, PSM and Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports Secretary-General, Dato’Lokman Ali Hakim signed the MOU at the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports. Minister of Youth and Sports, Brigadier General H.E. Khairy Jamaluddin witnessed the signing. Read more...
Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program
17 February 2017: Today I announce the selection of 15 social entrepreneurs from across our region for the Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP), to be held in Melbourne and Sydney in March. Read more...
Ensure you have the right visa to travel to Australia
14 February 2017: The Australian High Commission reminds Malaysians planning to work in Australia to ensure they have the correct visa before they travel. Read more...
Improving oversight and conditions in detention
9 February 2017: The Government announced its intention to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) by December 2017. Read more…
US – Australia Dialogue on Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
26 January 2017: Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP on US and Australia’s cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, where she emphasised the importance of ongoing US engagement in the region and the importance of ASEAN to our efforts. Read more…
Australia Day 2017
26 January 2017: The Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur commemorated Australia Day on 24 January with a stylish reception celebrating Australia’s renowned active lifestyle and the strength and depth of the Australia-Malaysia bilateral relationship, which will enter its 62nd year in 2017. Read more...
The Importance of Asia in the 21st Century
23 January 2017: Speech by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, on the importance of trade liberalisation to our interests in the region, at the Australia America Association, New York. Read more…