Australia

Four years from now, we should celebrate our debut on the world diplomatic stage, 100 years after Prime Minister Billy Hughes, deputy Prime Minister Joseph Cook and attorney-general Robert Garran represented Australia at the Paris Peace Conference at Versailles during the first half of 1919.

It's time for a stocktake of Australia's diplomatic interests, capabilities and strategies.

Almost 40 years since the killing of the five journalists in Timor-Leste, Shirley Shackleton fears the appointment of retired lieutenant-general Sutiyoso has dashed hopes of her husband's remains ever being returned.

The 70-year-old Sutiyoso, who President Joko Widodo named in June as the new chief of the Indonesian Intelligence Agency (BIN), was an army captain in charge of a special forces unit in East Timor when the newsmen were killed on October 16, 1975.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt said this would help to build tourism and economic development opportunities for local people and provide a high level of protection for the natural and cultural values of the area.

Hunt, who visited the Kokoda Track with PNG environment minister John Pundari on Monday, said the listing was an important objective under the Kokoda Initiative, launched in 2008 to protect and manage this important area.

Meanwhile, Australia is helping fund a floating medical training and healthcare ship for remote coastal villages in Papua New Guinea.

After a special Coalition party-room meeting on Tuesday rejected proposals to give members a free vote on the issue, the prime minister pledged to take it to the people, through a plebiscite or referendum.

On Sunday, he ruled out holding a public poll at the same time as the federal election.

The independent Tasmanian MP has sent the application, naming the prime minister, Tony Abbott, and his 19-member cabinet, including the immigration minister, Scott Morrison.

“In my application I have particularly named crimes against humanity, such as the forced relocation of people, obviously to the Republic of Nauru or Papua New Guinea,” Wilkie said.

He also claims that the government’s hardline immigration policies contravene the Refugee Convention, Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“You know that Vanuatu is not strictly Port Vila, we also have beautiful islands out there."

The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks in his welcome address to Tok Tok 2015 buyers from Australia during breakfast at Grand Hotel, courtesy of Tok Tok Vanuatu historical sponsor, ANZ Bank Vanuatu and Vanuatu Tourism Office yesterday.

His timely remarks come on the heels of extensive media coverage of the Tanna Lodge fire during which 21 Australian tourists had to be evacuated from the southern island to Port Vila for safety reasons this week.

The event, scheduled for April 8 to 10 next year, will see the continent’s top judokas battle it out for medals and will be followed by a week-long training camp from April 11 to 17.

Australia were the dominant nation at this year’s Oceania Judo Championships, winning eight of 10 gold medals available in the junior and cadet competitions on the opening day at the Arena de Paita in Nouméa, New Caledonia.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring a sustainable and competitive seafood industry. Prior to the federal election we promised to support national commercial fishing peak bodies and we are delivering on that commitment,” Senator Colbeck said.

“This is a substantial investment for the commercial fishing sector over four years and will help them to promote sustainable fishing practices and provide strong representation by peak bodies.”