Foreign Affairs and Trade

This massive and diversified portfolio of Government will be covered in more detail in later documents and policy statements.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA'S) policy direction on foreign affairs will first and foremost be the peaceful protection and prosperity of Australia, its people and its neighbours - in that order.

At present our trade balance with China and Japan is a financial disaster for this country. EACH MONTH AUSTRALIA SINKS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DEEPER INTO DEBT. Kim Beasley was exactly right when he warned "Australia's credit card is maxed out!"

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) strongly opposes the "open slather" profit at "any cost" no regulations, no health standards, no safety standards, free trade policies of both the major parties.

Free trade agreements with China or any other neighbour, like all free trade agreements, come with strings attached. The Chinese and others will do their best to cut all the strings they don't like. This must not happen. Australia must not, and will not, be conned.

When we deal with the dragons of Asia we must be careful not get our own tails be burned. Australian is not a province of China! Nor will we become their serfs or the dumping ground for their product. Australian will never be called "NEWCHINA"!

Here in Australia we must WAKE UP and become aware of the motive of the smiling Chinese behind the deli counter or in any business deal. They have been traders for five thousand years. The bigger the smile, the more we need to watch out, lest we are burned! Many Australians already know this lesson from bitter experience.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will encourage foreign investment, but will wind back and eventually forbid foreign control of our land, property, industries and its precious resources. Investors may invest, but it will be under our rules, not theirs. This is not to say we are backward thinking, draconian or anti business. Quite the opposite. Commerce and trade are the lifeblood of every nation. What we oppose is the foreign exploitation of Australians!

Every day of the week China ships away our finite mineral and gas resources and in return floods Australian with cheap junk. Under the present trade regime our producers, growers, farmers and manufacturers are being driven to bankruptcy and the expensively acquired skills and expertise of our trained workforce is being whittled away to nothing. In another generation or two almost all Australian manufacturing and creative expertise will reside in the old peoples homes and all these skills will have been copied and improved upon in Asia and India. As these foreigners grow rich, Australia will sink to become just a third world nation most of whose people are on the dole - until the dole system itself collapses.

The fact is, under the present rules we cannot compete head to head with China and win. In 2005 an Australian process worker cost around (Aust) $49,000 per year. The same worker in China cost $2,500. That means they produce 15 times as much for the same manpower cost!

The United States has been on the receiving end of the same treatment, but they have now begun to react. SO AS TO PRESERVE THEIR REMAINING INDUSTRIAL BASE the US government has said "enough!" and is now placing quotas and controls on selected Chinese imports. The European Union is doing the same. The dragon economy must not be allowed to run out of control. This isn't a matter of choice or a cause for angst or war, it is a desperate survival strategy for the whole world - including them! - This para written prior to 2008/9 recession. The real recession (2009) is in part the result of the world's failure to address trade balance issues and adopt more sensible strategies with the Asian nations that can benefit all.

The cold hard fact is, there are not enough resources in the entire world for 1,5 billion Chinese (not to mention other people in Asia and Africa) to own automobiles, flat screen televsions, and all of the other modern resource devouring infrustructure and benefits now mostly enjoyed by people in the "West."

We cannot morally deny people the right to better themselves. In the longer term there is only one answer "A sustainable population figure must be arrived at for the whole world. See Global Action Media Link population/reproduction map. That means that many countries must dramatically drop their population numbers over the next few decades by strict birth control and natural attrition. Many Western nations have set the example and done this for years. They can therefore do little more to reduce population levels and are now hardening their rules for immigration and refugee entrance for fear of being swamped by foreigners If the rest don't act now, world resources will run out and people in the poor nations will simply be starved out of existence." Lyn Vickery.

China and Australia have signed a 25 year (Aust) $25 billion dollar contract to supply natural gas. Sounds great! But what happens in 25 years time when the rest of the world is out of oil and gas and Australians need that resource? The Australian government (as usual) is looking short term and forgetting the future. The clever Chinese are looking decades ahead. Which, we must ask ourselves, is the CLEVER COUNTRY?

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA), whilst encouraging trade and investment from overseas, will exercise iron control over the following:

a/ Trade balance - to be maintained with a mix of quotas and duties on imports that threaten the growth
of Australian industries

b/ Quality control and regulation of imports by the introduction of firmly policed new Australian import standards

c/ Restriction or ban on import of selected foreign foodstuffs that can be grown/produced in Australia

d/ Total cessation of foreign imports containing banned pesticides, fertilizers and synthetic growth agents

"If we need to sensibly protect Australia and its industries and workers we will. To hell with those clowns squarking about protectionism!" Lyn Vickery.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) supports the primary objectives of the United Nations (UN), as laid down in its Charter:
                    a. To avoid the recurrence of violent conflicts.
                    b. Affirm fundamental human rights.
                    c. Guarantee respect for international law.
                    d. Improve living standards across the globe.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) sees Australia's participation in the OECD as vital to our national interests as it is the only forum in which Australia meets with Japan, North America and Western Europe to discuss the full range of economic, trade and social policy concerns. As a result GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA)
will be closely examining the workings and benefits of the OECD to Australia.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) broadly supports the important work of Unesco and sees this a major vehicle in maintaining world peace and order and combating the ignorance and want that have led to extremism, Islamic religious excesses and terror in recent times.

Only by goodwill, education, equality and the satisfying of the legitimate rights of the people will peace, stability and prosperity reign.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) recognises its contribution to democracy, law, and better government in many nations around the world.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. Its stated function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

This being the case GLOBAL ACTION INTERNATIONAL seeks to act in the interests of equitable free trade between nations. Having said that, GLOBAL ACTION will, however, not stand by and see Australian trade and industry decimated by blind economic rationalism or international vested interests hostile to our well being. The checks and balances that have protected and even those that once did (and have been removed) protect our nation from cheap goods from overseas will be reviewed and conditional protection will be given to some industries to prudently restore decimated manufacturing capacity in Australia.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) recognises that Australia is a small and fragile nation and in the scramble for trade could easily be crushed by foreign giants. It is therefore vital we build and maintain strong mutually based strategic alliances not only with Europe and America, but also with Asia, India and on the African continent.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) aims to make Australia the Switzerland of the Southern Hemisphere and a major hub of finance and trade in the region.

"While the noisy protesters rave, rant, wave their placards and destroy our public property the World Bank, which is owned by 184 countries and which operates in 100 of the most backward nations on earth, quietly made available to the poorest and most needy people over $19 billion US dollars in loans in the fiscal year 2002. How much did those protesters do to help the poor over the same period? Perhaps the media would be more usefully engaged analyzing who these protesters are and exposing their real motives or by turning their cameras to positive works rather than focussing on the negative sensationalism that in fact worsens to chances of the poor and vulnerable." Lyn Vickery

        GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) supports free trade and the removal of imbalances that either restrict healthy
        trade between nations or that through excessive protection or the lack of it decimate industry. A healthy,
        balanced dynamic trading climate must always be the objective of government. Trade has always involved haggle and barter
        and its always will.

Small business and local innovation must be protected so that they may prosper and grow.

The following is an extract from an article by Frank Walker which appeared in the Sun Herald, 17 September 2000.

"The level of foreign ownership of Australian companies has doubled in the past decade to 21% of gross domestic product (GDP) and foreign debt hovers at 40% of GDP. The money leaving Australia to foreign owners doubled in the decade to $12 billion last year.

"Tax expert and Electronic International Trade Service director Martin Feil said multinationals use a tax trick called transfer pricing to escape paying tax in Australia. An Australian Taxation Office review of 207 companies, which generated $30 billion in annual revenue, showed they paid less than $40 million in company tax.

"'Despite having operated in Australia for decades, over half of the foreign companies paid no tax at all,' Mr. Feil said."

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will ensure that at all times the people of this nation are protected from
rogue states, terrorist groups, religious fanatics and the like.

        As a responsible global citizen Australia respects and upholds the treaty arrangements entered into with its
        partners in the past. GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will undertake a review or our treaty status, but for the
        present we see little need for concern.

        Australia's record on human rights stands high compared not just with its near neighbours, but also on
        an international scale. GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will uphold the rights of individual Australians and of the people
        in accordance with its commitments under the United Nations Charter and other treaties and agreements.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) is particularly strong on all issues relating to the environment, both nationally
and internationally.

Of particular concern to Australia are global population management, pollution, resource depletion, land degradation and logging issues.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will provide strong guidelines to strengthen Australia's defensive weapons
strategies, systems and equipment.

        In a changing world in which aggressors may appear without warning from new and dangerous quarters
        Australia will be prepared. Legitimate neighbouring states and governments need have no fear about
        Australia launching preemptive strikes upon them. We are a peaceful non aggressive people who have no
        foreign designs. Neither do we seek to impose our will upon our neighbours.

        However, should any extremist state or fanatical group within a state threaten Australia, its
        people, or its interests we will, without hesitation respond by appropriate means. Rest assured Australia will
        not wait until after an event like September 11th if it receives firm intelligence information of such a danger in
        advance.

NOTE# Australia will in all cases work with and through legitimate foreign government channels and only as a last resort
will preemptive action be considered.

        GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) totally opposes the nuclear programs of such rogue states as North
        Korea.    Australia will not stand by and see the lives of millions of its people, or indeed the people of other
        nations, put in jeopardy by an insane and evil few.

The lesson of history is that each time religious or political fanatics, dictators, or madmen are appeased
and left free to carry on their crime spree, their ambitions only grow more monstrous.

        GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) maintains that the world is too small and the people are to precious to be held
        to ransom by such madmen. In the event of a clear and present danger we will act - the principle here
        being that to halt the snake we will directly strike at the head!

        This monstrous evil is not new, even to the 21st century, but the callous execution of such plans and designs upon
        massive civilian populations is. GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) supports all governments and people
        who oppose such weapons and who are working for their elimination from the planet.

If it means positive action on foreign soil to eliminate such weapons and threats GLOBAL ACTION
(AUSTRALIA) will without hesitation support such action. This evil must be rooted out wherever it is found.

        The issue of land mines divides its self into two matters:
                    a. Removal of millions of existing land mines dotted all over the world in former war zones.
                    b. A ban on the use of land mines in future military campaigns.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will put in place strategies to minimize this threat, both at home and abroad.
See CWC - CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION details below.

Missiles in the hands of responsible States are a major deterrent to would be aggressors. In the hands of
terrorists, religious fanatics or rogue states they are exactly the opposite - a menace.

        GLOBAL ACTION (INTERNATIONAL) aims to keep such technology out of the hands of fanatics by all and
        every means possible, while at the same time trying to address the grievances that make such people a
        mortal danger to the rest of the world. To keep the peace it may sometimes be necessary to fight terrorists
        and fanatics on their terms - in the gutter. That does not make us terrorists.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) sees the reduction of military small arms as a major step in reducing the
effectiveness of guerrilla and para military groups and terrorists.

a. The active discouragement of small arms manufacturers and the governments that
harbour them.

b. Control of international arms traders to remove such weaponry out of the public domain.

c. Destruction of captured arms and ammunition so that they cannot reappear elsewhere.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) vigorously opposes all illegal international drug growing and trafficking activities
and will actively work to strengthen treaties and laws in the area.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) will work with regional trade and industry councils to improve and strengthen
relationships

                           Australia-China Council (ACC)
                           Australia-India Council (AIC)
                           Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII)
                           Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF)
                           Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF)

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) SUPPORTS THE CWC - CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty that bans the development, production, possession or use of chemical weapons, and requires the destruction of existing weapons. The CWC entered into force on 29 April 1997. As of 21 June 2002, there were 145 member countries to the CWC.

Each CWC member country must provide assurance that it is honouring its commitments not to engage in prohibited activities by:

                    destroying all chemical weapons within 10 years after the CWC’s entry into force in strict
                    accordance with the treaty’s specifications;
                    declaring information on certain chemical activities to the Organization for the Prohibition of
                    Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international implementing agency; and
                    permitting inspections of relevant chemical facilities by the OPCW.

GLOBAL ACTION (AUSTRALIA) supports the United Nations Protocol to combat People Trafficking. See details below.

                           Australia signed an important Protocol to the United Nations Convention against
                           Transnational Organised Crime in New York this morning (3pm 11 December New
                           York time).

                           The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially
                           Women and Children ('the People Trafficking Protocol') aims to address a growing
                           trend in transnational organised crime to physically move people through deception,
                           coercion or force for the purpose of their exploitation.

                           While Australia already has strong measures in the Commonwealth Criminal Code to
                           criminalise trafficking in persons, the Protocol strengthens international norms against
                           people trafficking and provides the basis for enhanced co-operation between States
                           to combat this crime.

                           The decision to sign the People Trafficking Protocol is part of the Government's
                           strategy to combat people trafficking through a range of regional and international
                           co-operative measures.

                           Australia has taken a lead on this issue through initiatives such as the Bali Regional
                           Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related
                           Transnational Crime which Australia co-chaired with Indonesia in February 2002.

The Protocol has been signed by 112 other countries, including key regional partners
in the fight against transnational organised crime.

USEFUL LINKS: Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.dfat.gov.au/ Defense http://www.defence.gov.au
Further links at bottom of page.

The United Nations Charter was drawn up by the representatives of 50 countries at the United Nations Conference on International Organisation, which met in San Francisco from 25 April to 26 June 1945. Delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks from August to October, 1944. The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the 50 founding members, and officially came into existence on 24 October 1945 following its ratification by China, France, the
Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States (the "Permanent Five" members) plus a majority of other signatories.

The primary objectives of the United Nations (UN), as laid down in its Charter, are to avoid the recurrence of violent conflicts, affirm fundamental human rights, guarantee respect for international law and improve living standards across the globe.

AUSTRALIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE OECD (Information - This section courtesy of Dept Foreign Affairs and Trade - 2003)

Australia joined the OECD in 1971, although initial links were established through membership of the
OECD's Development Assistance Committee in 1966. The decision to become a full member reflected
general interest in expressing views and exerting influence in an organisation which had by that
time established itself as the paramount western economic consultative forum. The timing of the
decision was also prompted by a recognition that the imminent entry of the UK into the European
Communities could make more difficult Australia's access to western centres of power and influence.
More than twenty-five years later, the OECD remains the only exclusively developed country
economic forum in which Australia meets with Japan, North America and Western Europe to discuss
the full range of economic, trade and social policy concerns.

The OECD is part of the system of Western international institutions developed after World War II
and is the main forum for monitoring and evaluating economic trends and developments in its 30
member countries. The basic aims of the OECD, enshrined in its founding Convention in 1960, to
achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment; to promote economic and social
welfare throughout the OECD are by coordinating the policies of its member countries; to promote
trade liberalisation; and to stimulate and harmonise its members' efforts in favour of developing
countries.

One of the most valuable features of the OECD is its compact membership comprising all the
relatively advanced market economies. The OECD does not have executive or financial powers; it
relies on persuasion and consensus, and derives its strength from high quality analysis of economic
and social issues confronting member countries. The OECD is based in Paris and is a forum for:

. searching for common policy solutions or strategies including, in some cases, through
legally binding instruments committing members to certain courses of action.

The OECD has an extensive source of broadly comparable data on its member economies. It
publishes a wide range of material, including high quality economic surveys on each member
country.

The supreme body of the Organisation is the Council which has one representative for each member
country. Each member country maintains a Permanent Delegation, which is established as a normal
diplomatic mission headed by an Ambassador, who attends meetings of the Council. Each year,
normally May/June, the Council meets at Ministerial level to provide guidance on overall policy
directions and the OECD's work program.

The major part of the Organisation's work is carried out in around 180 specialised committees,
expert groups and working parties. The OECD is funded by annual contributions from the member
countries, calculated largely according to the GDP of each country. Member countries may also make
voluntary additional payments to advance work in which they have a particular interest.

The OECD uses two official languages, English and French. There are Publications and Information
Centres in Bonn, Tokyo, Washington and Mexico City. The OECD employs in its Secretariat a staff of
1,800, including 600 economists, statisticians and analysts, and support personnel to service
meetings and conferences, prepare documentation and publications, and handle other tasks. It also
calls on academics and officials to participate as consultants in the work of the Organisation.

The current Secretary-General is Mr Donald Johnston, who was appointed in 1996. He is assisted by
three Deputy Secretaries-General. The Secretariat is divided into specialised Directorates which
correspond broadly to the principal Committees, although some Directorates are also responsible for
a more diverse range of expert groups and host other specialist meetings. Further information on
the OECD structure can be obtained from the OECD website

Several autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies have been set up within the framework of the
OECD, each with its own governing committee. The main ones are:

The main message which flows through the work of the OECD is the fundamental importance of
market mechanisms in improving economic and social well-being in member countries. The evident
success of market economies and the failure of centrally-planned economies is now established.
Both the changing political balance and the growing interdependence of the world's economies have
challenged the capacities of the OECD to respond in an effective manner to new policy issues.

The most profound change affecting the OECD has been the rapid expansion in recent years of
contacts with non-member countries. Several countries, in particular in the Asia-Pacific region, have
demonstrated economic and trade performance and prospects of such significance as to make
contacts with the OECD desirable and increasingly (in the view of members) necessary. In addition,
a large number of non-members, notably in Central and Eastern Europe, but also in Latin America,
are moving towards democracy and economic liberalisation, a process of transition which OECD
members seek to reinforce.

The second change having a major effect on the Organisation is the emergence of many issues
which cut across traditional policy boundaries. For example, in the field of the environment, the
Organisation is examining the interconnections between environmental issues and trade, taxation,
energy, agriculture, development and the efficiency and effectiveness of economic and regulatory
instruments. Such "horizontal" analyses are also under way in other areas, for example in relation
to competition policy, investment, migration, policies on ageing populations and technology. Because
these issues cut across the responsibilities of various OECD Directorates and Committees,
inter-disciplinary analysis and special coordination efforts are required.

1.The principle of mutual benefit has always been the guiding principle for the outreach
activities of the Organisation. It means that involvement of a non-member country in an OECD
activity must be of interest both to the country concerned and to OECD members.

2.In October 1997, the OECD established a Committee on Cooperation with Non-Members
(CCN) in order to manage the programs and structures for non-member activities and to
ensure that they continue to evolve in an effective manner.

A major element of the OECD's strength is its high quality analysis and projections of global
economic developments and economic developments in individual member economies. The growing
interdependence of the world's economies with expanded trade and financial linkages has
reinforced the need for timely and perceptive economic analysis and forecasts. This work is
undertaken by the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) and its Working Parties. It culminates in the
biannual publication of the 'Economic Outlook', which includes economic projections for OECD
countries. These provide a key input into Australian assessments of international prospects and the
manner in which the world impacts on Australia. The production of a wide range of national economic
statistics on a broadly comparable basis is also particularly valuable.

The EPC undertakes research on a diverse range of topical economic policy issues, including:

More specific analyses of the economic performance and policies of individual OECD countries are
undertaken by the Economic and Development Review Committee (EDRC), with country reports
published generally on an annual cycle.

The Directorate on Financial and Fiscal Affairs works to create a propitious environment for business
by encouraging efficient markets and by setting a fair and predictable framework for international
investment and finance. This multi-faceted directorate promotes international investment; capital
movements and trade in services. It monitors and analyses developments in financial markets such
as banking, securities and insurance. It establishes principles of international taxation, tracks
domestic and international effects of tax reforms and encourages cooperation to fight tax-evasion.
The Directorate also conducts work on combating money-laundering and bribery in international
commerce.

Australian participates in the OECD Committee on Competition Law and Policy and its various
working parties, which aim primarily to promote common understanding and cooperation among
competition policy authorities and officials. The members of the committee are drawn from
competition authorities (or antitrust authorities) in each of the OECD Member countries. Public and
government interest in the work of the committee has grown in recent years, paralleling the growing
recognition of the importance of competition as a means of improving economic performance and
consumer welfare.

The subjects on which the Committee works include convergence of competition policies, interactions
between international trade policies and competition policies, interactions between economic
regulation and competition and enhancement of international cooperation among competition
offices.

Australia's living standards are linked directly to its trading performance. While the WTO is of
pre-eminent importance, the OECD has played and will continue to play a critical role in analysing
developments in the international trading system, including the impact of government policies on
trade and performance. Such analyses are vital for greater awareness and understanding of the
functioning of the international trading system and are an important input for policy formulation,
both at the national and multinational level.

Although the OECD has traditionally been a forum for research and analysis of trade issues rather
than a forum for negotiating binding multilateral trade agreements such as those negotiated in the
WTO, most OECD member countries have negotiated an Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially
Supported Export Credits. The Arrangement imposes a discipline on the use by OECD countries of
officially-supported export credits. The OECD has a mandate to negotiate stronger discipline and
transparency through the Arrangement in order to reduce the trade distorting effects of
officially-supported credits.

Agricultural production and trade is of fundamental interest to Australia. Managed production and
trade to the detriment of relatively efficient producers such as Australia is still a key feature of world
agricultural markets. The OECD's advocacy of market principles is vitally important in identifying the
costs of protection and supporting efforts to improve the efficiency of the agriculture sector. The
OECD's annual Agricultural Monitoring and Evaluation Report analyses the extent and cost of
agricultural policies in OECD member countries. Exposure of the costs and inefficiencies of various
support policies has been a major factor elevating agricultural reform to the forefront of international
economic debate. Agriculture was a pivotal subject in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
negotiations and remains so in the ongoing work of the WTO.

The OECD has long recognised the important linkage between the capacity for increased economic
growth and the sustainable use of resources, as well as the pollution burden that can result from
industrial activities. The work of the OECD's Environment Committee, which was established in 1970,
is widely recognised as having made a substantial contribution to the development of environment
policies, including through the development of the polluter pays principle and dealing with the
hazards created by chemicals. Over the past few years, governments have seen the need for more
effective integration of environmental perspectives across a wide range of economic policies. Within
the OECD there has been an intensification of work on the economics of sustainable development
on a collaborative "horizontal" basis involving nearly every Directorate.

Australia is endeavouring to broaden its scientific, technological and industrial capabilities to
facilitate the development of more internationally competitive, innovative and export-oriented
industries. The OECD plays an important role a forum in which countries can exchange views on
different policy approaches and their effectiveness. The Industry Committee examines major
developments and trends in industry, the industrial policies of member governments, and problems
associated with industrial restructuring.

The Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP) covers innovation policy, access to
research, large scale science effort and human resource development in science and technology.
Particular attention is paid to the integration of science and technology policy with other aspects of
government policy. The Committee's work is of considerable interest to Australia, given this country's
significant capabilities in fundamental and strategic research, and the need to ensure that Australian
research is utilised more fully. Industry and science and technology policies of OECD member
countries are converging. That trend is increasingly being reflected in the work of the Industry
Committee and the CSTP, where several issues, notably technology and industrial performance and
technology diffusion, have been considered in both bodies.

Australia participates in the OECD's Committee for Information, Computers and Communications
Policy (ICCP), which examines policy issues arising from the development and applications of
technologies in the field of information, computer and communications systems and services,
including the impact of such issues on member and non-member economies, and on society in
general. The Committee seeks to strengthen cooperation among member countries. Areas of work
include the convergence of communications technologies; the impact of changes in communications
policies on economic growth; the appropriate role of competitive safeguards; globalisation; and
international charging practices and procedures.

It is well recognised in the OECD that economic growth is not an end in itself, but a means to raise
the overall wellbeing of societies. Despite considerable economic progress in OECD countries, there
are continuing concerns about a number of social issues, for example, high levels of unemployment;
the labour market and social problems of low-paid workers and less-skilled job seekers; improved
opportunities for women; equality of educational and training opportunities; the need to improve
the efficiency and responsiveness of active labour market assistance and social programs; and
migration pressures. High quality education and training, increased opportunities and incentives for
lifelong learning, job growth, labour market flexibility and the provision of effective social policy
arrangements which provide incentives for recipients to work and increase their earnings are also
important policy priorities for OECD members. Australia is seen as a leader in social policy reform and
a country of innovation in this field. This is a useful perspective in the context of Australian
Government departments and private organisations selling services to other countries in the
Asia-Pacific region and Eastern Europe.

Australia is an active participant in the Education, Labour and Social Affairs Committee (ELSA). The
Committee examines a broad range of social and economic issues and pressing social policy
challenges such as monitoring and evaluating:

. labour market policies (eg effectiveness of labour market policies and programs);

. social policy orientations and socio-economic changes affecting social protection
systems (eg income security, taxes and benefit systems,

. globalisation (eg migration, the labour market and regional integration); and

The OECD's Public Management Committee (PUMA) is an important source of information and
analysis on key institutional, structural and economic issues affecting the public sector of member
countries, and increasingly, non-member countries. There is a strong link between economic
performance and the improvement of public sector efficiency and effectiveness. The comprehensive
program of public sector management and reform pursued by the Australian Government is based
on the view that public sector reform is analogous and complementary to the pursuit of
microeconomic reform within the private sector.

The Development Assistance Committee is the principle body through which the Organisation for
Economic Development (OECD) deals with issues related to cooperation with developing countries.
The DAC is a major forum for aid donors to work together to increase the effectiveness of their
common efforts to support sustainable development in non-member countries. The mission of the
DAC is to foster coordinated, integrated, effective and adequately financed international efforts.

1. Development and dissemination of authoritative policy guidance for Members in the
conduct of their development cooperation programs;

    3. Provision of a forum for dialogue to enable Members to exchange views and establish
    an international consensus on policy and management issues of interest to Members;
    and

For further information on the OECD and Australia's relations with it, please contact the OECD and
UNCTAD Policy Unitof the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Phone: (02) 6261 1111 Fax: (02)
6261 2696

D. A. Information Services
Post Office Box 163
Mitcham, Victoria
Tel. (03) 9210 7777; and Fax: (03) 9210 7788

2 rue Andre-Pascal
75775 Paris Cedex 16
FRANCE
Tel: (33 1) 45 24 82 00; and Fax: (33 l) 45 24 85 00

The ARF was established in 1994. It draws together 23 countries which have an impact on or are
involved in the security of the Asia Pacific region. It comprises the 10 ASEAN member states (Brunei,
Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam); the 10
ASEAN dialogue partners (Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russia
and the United States), the one ASEAN observer (PNG); as well as the DPRK and Mongolia.

Australia is currently chair of the ARF like?minded group, which also includes Canada, the EU, Japan,
New Zealand, ROK and the United States.

Australia regards the ARF as valuable in promoting stable relationships between the major powers,
and as a complement to the various bilateral alliances and dialogues which underpin the region's
security architecture. The ARF is premised on the idea drawn from the ASEAN experience ? that an
incremental process of dialogue can produce qualitative improvements in political relationships. It
provides a setting in which members can discuss current regional security issues and develop
cooperative measures to enhance peace and security in the region.

Issues discussed at recent ARF meetings include the security, political and human rights situations in
the Korean Peninsula, East Timor, Indonesia, and Burma; instability in the Pacific; nuclear testing in
South Asia; WMD and missile issues; and transnational crime ? including piracy, people smuggling
and illicit trade in small arms. Members are encouraged to provide voluntary briefings on issues like
defence policy and spending, as a means of enhancing transparency and building confidence.

The ARF is characterised by minimal institutionalisation, and consensus decision making. It is
premised on a gradual three?stage process of evolution ? developing from confidence?building to
preventive diplomacy and, in the long term, conflict resolution. Much of the ARF's activity to date has
been centred on confidence building activities, including on subjects such as peace keeping, piracy,
conventional arms, and disaster relief. It has also done some work on security aspects of
transnational crime. The ARF is beginning very slowly to move beyond confidence?building, to
explore possibilities for preventive diplomacy.

Preventive diplomacy tools agreed by ARF members to date include an enhanced role for the ARF
Chair in coordinating ARF positions so as to strengthen the ARF's ability to respond to situations
affecting the security of ARF members during the period between Ministerial meetings. Another
mechanism is a register of ARF experts which, when operational, will provide a pool of expertise on
regional security issues that may be drawn upon by the ARF Chair or individual ARF members.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for ARF policy, in consultation with
the Department of Defence. ARF meetings are held at Foreign Minister level, annually in July, in
conjunction with the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC). The chair of ASEAN, which rotates on
annual basis, is also the chair of the ARF. Brunei is the chair for 2001?02. The principal formal ARF
document is the ARF chair's statement issued after every ARF Ministerial meeting.

The ARF is supported by the ARF Senior Officials' Meeting (ARF SOM) which meets annually in May.
Two ARF Intersessional Group Meetings on Confidence Building Measures (ISG on CBMs) are also
held at officials' level each year, cochaired by one ASEAN and one non?ASEAN member.
Recommendations and outcomes of these ISG meetings feed into the ARF SOM. The ISG meetings
are supported by a range of confidence?building activities and seminars.

The ARF also sometimes sponsors "second track" (non?official) seminars and workshops on regional
security issues which involve academics and officials meeting in their personal capacities.

    Organisation background
    Recent Developments
    IOR-ARC and Western Australia

The Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) is a
grouping of nineteen Indian Ocean littoral and island states launched in
Mauritius in March 1997. The Association aims to facilitate trade and
investment in the region, and includes working groups that provide input
from business and academia. Member states include Australia,
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, the Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri
Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. China,
Egypt, France, Japan and the United Kingdom are Dialogue Partners, while
the Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation is an Observer.

Australia is a founding member and major donor to the principal regional organisations in the
Pacific:

    The Pacific Islands Forum (formerly known as the South Pacific Forum) the region's principal
    political institution. The Forum brings together the independent and self-governing states of
    the Pacific in an annual leaders' summit. The South Pacific Forum is serviced by the Forum
    Secretariat (Forsec).
    The Pacific Community (formerly known as the South Pacific Commission), a non-political
    organisation delivering development assistance to the territories and countries of the region.
   The Pacific Community is serviced by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
    The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), aimed at enabling members to maximise sustained
    benefits from the conservation and sustainable use of their fisheries resources.
    The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), promoting regional cooperation
    in environmental matters.
    The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) which assists members to assess,
    explore and develop their mineral and other non-living resources.

Cooperation and collaboration between Pacific regional organisations is promoted through the
Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP), comprising the heads of eight regional
inter-governmental organisations. (CROP was formerly known as the South Pacific Organisations
Coordinating Committee - SPOCC).

    The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP)
    The Tourism Council of the South Pacific (TCSP)
    The University of the South Pacific (USP)

If you have any further questions about the Pacific regional organisations, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade may be able to help you.

    Director, Pacific Regional Section
    Phone (02) 6261 2840
    Fax : (02) 6261 2332
    E-mail: ma.pbs@dfat.gov.au

APEC has become our region's leading forum, where Asia-Pacific economies strengthen regional links and pursue common trade and economic goals.

Copies of the CER Guide may be obtained by contacting the Department at the following address:

    New Zealand Section
    Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    R G Casey Building
    BARTON ACT 0221

SEE: Australia and the Modern Commonwealth - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Australia is an active member and supporter of the modern Commonwealth of Nations and values its
role in advancing the interests of developing countries and small states in world affairs.

The Commonwealth has earned a unique profile as an association dedicated to the promotion of a
set of fundamental political principles of importance to Australia: those of democracy, good
governance and the rule of law. It has made its mark in the pursuit of democratic principles. But its
networks and interests range widely and it contributes to issues as diverse as youth affairs, gender
equity, human rights, health and education.

Its diverse membership and its capacity for informal dialogue have also made it an effective forum
for the discussion of other contemporary issues of pressing concern to all its members. Australia
has applauded its contribution to the development and advancement of the Heavily-Indebted Poor
Countries (HIPC) initiative, its ground-breaking work with the World Bank on the vulnerability of
small states and its sophisticated approach to the challenges and opportunities that globalisation
presents to its members. These successes all demonstrate the Commonwealth’s continuing
relevance and importance.

Many of the Commonwealth’s successes have delivered direct benefits to Commonwealth countries
in Australia’s neighbourhood. The countries of our region have benefited from assistance in
conducting elections and from the Secretary-General’s “Good Offices” work in conflict prevention and
resolution. The Commonwealth has also assisted in building and strengthening democracy and
democratic institutions in our region. The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation responds
rapidly to our neighbours’ requests for a range of technical assistance and they have benefited from
Commonwealth advocacy on a wide range of developmental and other issues of importance to
them. The Commonwealth’s Trade and Investment Access Facility has provided them with
much-needed practical advice and assistance in dealing with the World Trade Organisation and the
challenges of globalisation.

At other times, the Commonwealth has provided a vehicle for Australia to deliver assistance to
countries further afield. Australia was closely engaged in the Commonwealth’s work in breaking
down the system of apartheid in South Africa. We worked with the Commonwealth to assist
Zimbabwe’s transition to independence in 1981 and in observing its national elections in 2000. In
Mozambique and Namibia we used the Commonwealth to deliver development assistance, and last
year AusAID delivered a package of training for trade negotiators in Commonwealth African
countries in order to assist them in their negotiations in the WTO.

Through these and a wide range of other activities Australia has for many years been active and
visible in Commonwealth affairs. We strongly support Commonwealth political programs, most
importantly through the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Downer, in the
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG). CMAG examines reports
of serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth political values. We provide election observers
for Commonwealth Observer Groups in a range of Commonwealth countries and provide technical
assistance to National Electoral Commissions to assist with the conduct of elections. In a range of
areas we work with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other agencies such as the Commonwealth
Local Government Forum to provide development assistance to Commonwealth countries.

With an eye on the changing needs of the Commonwealth membership, Australia has also put
forward a range of initiatives at various times aimed at furthering the interests of Commonwealth
small states and developing countries. At the 1981 CHOGM in Melbourne, Australia gained
agreement to the establishment of a Commonwealth Small States Office in New York. Initially set up
to enable Pacific Island Countries to have their voices heard at the United Nations, the office was
extended in 1988 to meet the needs of developing countries from other regions of the
Commonwealth who would otherwise not have been able to be represented at the United Nations.

At the 1997 CHOGM in Edinburgh, Prime Minister Howard also initiated the Trade and Investment
Access Facility (TIAF) (hotlink) which has become one of the Commonwealth’s main vehicles for
helping developing countries to manage the impact of globalisation and to make better use of the
WTO to pursue trade and investment opportunities. One of the facility’s functions is to fund an
Adviser in Geneva who assists Commonwealth developing country Ambassadors to the WTO to
prepare for negotiations. TIAF’s emphasis this year will be on assisting developing countries with
strategies to enable them to adopt a strong negotiating position during the forthcoming round of
negotiations. Australia made an initial grant to TIAF of $1.5 million over three years and will
continue to make annual contributions of $0.5 million during the period 2001-2003.

Australia has been a strong supporter of on-going efforts to modernise the Commonwealth and its
Secretariat and we have worked closely with the Secretariat to strengthen the Commonwealth’s
main development fund and to implement a range of reforms to Secretariat administration. As a
member of the Commonwealth High Level Review Group, Australia has worked hard to develop a set
of recommendations on the future of the Commonwealth that will ensure it remains a relevant and
effective mechanism for meeting the needs of its members.

We are one of the largest financial contributors to the Commonwealth. Australia’s assessed and
voluntary contributions to the Commonwealth in 2000/2001 were $10.8 million.

A significant part of Australia’s contribution is provided to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical
Cooperation (CFTC) through AusAID’s development assistance program. At the Durban CHOGM in
1999, Australia announced that it would increase its contribution to the CFTC by 10% each year over
a three year period, taking Australia’s contribution from $7.2 million in 1999-2000 to $9.5 million by
2002-2003.

Australia also contributes to the Commonwealth Youth Program and the Commonwealth Science
Council and provides ad hoc extra-budgetary funding to assist other Commonwealth activities.