Senator David Fawcett

4 days ago

As Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I was pleased to have Professor Akio Takahara and the new Ambassador of Japan His Excellency Mr Shingo Yamagami meet with the Committee last week.Professor Akio Takahara is a Professor of Contemporary Chinese Politics at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Law and Politics and has previously lived in Australia. Professor Takahara has written widely on Japan’s foreign policy and the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The Australia-Japan relationship is one of our closest bilateral relationships in Asia and is fundamental to both countries’ strategic and economic interests. This is underpinned by shared values, aligned visions for the region, complementary economies, and longstanding people-to-people links. Prime Minister Morrison’s visit to Japan in November last year demonstrated the strength of the Australia-Japan relationship. It was Prime Minister Scott Morrison (ScoMo)’s only overseas visit in 2020, the first visit by an international leader to Japan since the pandemic began, and the first under Prime Minister Suga. The visit marked a new phase in the relationship, with in-principle agreement on the Reciprocal Access Agreement which is a significant milestone that will deepen strategic, defence and security cooperation. This includes facilitating further joint exercises, disaster relief, and defence force interoperability. Further details regarding the agreement can be found here: bit.ly/3k5ukrK ... See MoreSee Less

Senator David Fawcett

6 days ago

On 19 February 1942, the Japanese mounted 2 air raids on Darwin, the largest ever attack on Australia. Those who died on February 19 included members of all 3 military services and many civilians. This was the 1st of a series of almost 100 Japanese aerial attacks on Australia, killing hundreds, eventually ending in November 1943. The threat of attack on Australian soil decreased with the success of Australian and Allied campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea, Asia and the Pacific. The defences in Darwin were reduced, but not completely removed, until after the war ended in August 1945. As Japan embraced democracy post-war, Australia’s relationship with Japan has changed significantly. The relationship is now underpinned by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as common approaches to international security. Japan is also Australia's 3rd largest two-way trading partner. More information about the 1942 Bombing of Darwin: bit.ly/3qBbATc ... See MoreSee Less

Senator David Fawcett is at Parliament House, Canberra.

6 days ago

As Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I was pleased to have Her Excellency Ms Betty Pavelich, Ambassador of Croatia, and Her Excellency Mrs Marion Derckx, Ambassador for the Kingdom of the Netherlands at a meeting of the Committee this week, pictured here with the Deputy Chair of JSCFADT Meryl Swanson MP. The Kingdom of the Netherlands and Croatia have taken over the responsibilities as NATO Contact Point Embassies in 2021. Australia strongly values its partnership with NATO which is built on shared values and a common commitment to upholding the global rules-based order.We discussed a range of topics, including the changing strategic circumstances in the Indo-Pacific region and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s vision for NATO 2030, released in December last year.The report recommended NATO must devote more time, political resources, and action to the security challenges in our region.As Chair of JSCFADT, I represented Australia in London in 2019 to address the NATO Parliamentary Assembly / Assemblée parlementaire de l'OTAN. I look forward to working with the Ambassadors to support Australia’s strong relationship with NATO.For NATO’s 2030 vision report: www.nato.int/nato2030/ ... See MoreSee Less

Senator David Fawcett

1 week ago

SA VACCINE ROLLOUT EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK; ASTRAZENECA VACCINE APPROVED BY TGAWith the first 142,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arriving in Australia yesterday, it is only days until South Australia receives our first doses.Also, Prime Minister Scott Morrison (ScoMo)announced earlier today that the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine has received the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s approval following a complete analysis – equipping Australia with 2 effective, high-quality vaccines to tackle COVID-19.Quarantine workers, healthcare workers, medi-hotel staff and airport staff will be the first to be administered the vaccine in SA as the priority, beginning to receive vaccine from within 24 hours of the shipment arriving in SA. 2 doses over a 28 day period are crucial for the vaccine’s efficacy.Vaccination for South Australians outside of priority groups is expected to be available from mid-2021 – with the aim of having every SA resident offered the vaccine by Christmas.The first SA Vaccination Hub is being established at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with 8 additional hubs established as doses enable wider distribution. Locations of SA Vaccination Hubs: bit.ly/2NplaKlAs more stock is delivered into SA, more hubs will open at the state’s main public hospitals, as well as regional hubs. More information on the SA Government’s regional vaccine rollout: bit.ly/3rYgfitThe Australian Government has invested more than $3.3 billion in securing COVID-19 vaccines for all Australians.More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, on SA Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine delivery: bit.ly/3anFJzR ... See MoreSee Less

Senator David Fawcett

1 week ago

ENCOURAGING AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT LOCAL TOURISMLast week, the Morrison Government announced further support for the business events and tourism sector – through the $50 million Business Events Grants Program. People who attend business events also stay at local hotels, eat at local restaurants, and support local businesses and retailers – creating and supporting local jobs in hospitality and tourism.The program provides funding to businesses – up to 50% of their costs (between $10,000 and $250,000) – so they can exhibit or participate at an approved business meeting, like conventions, trade shows and conferences, in 2021.Business event organisers are encouraged to apply to have their upcoming conventions listed as approved business events. Already, 13 events taking place in SA in 2021 have been approved as eligible.More information: bit.ly/3rS38PQ ... See MoreSee Less