LATEST ITEMS 
Caption: Trade Minister Simon Crean and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk
Photo: © Commonwealth of Australia
Ministerial Council Meeting of the OECD
Trade Minister Simon Crean meets United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk at the annual Ministerial Council Meeting of the OECD in Paris. Mr Crean is hosting an informal gathering of trade ministers, including Ambassador Kirk, to discuss advancing the Doha Round of world trade talks.
Media release: Visit to Europe to Strengthen Ties with the EU and Advance the Doha Round
Ambassador to Sweden
Mr Hugh Borrowman has informed the Minister for Foreign Affairs that for personal and family reasons he is no longer in a position to proceed with his appointment as Ambassador to Sweden.
Australia Records Trade Deficit in May as Global Recession Hits Home
Australia has recorded a seasonally adjusted trade deficit of $556 million in May, a $274 million increase on the revised deficit of $282 million in April.
Appointment of Acting Director-General of AusAID
Mr Peter Baxter has been appointed as the acting Director-General of AusAID from 4 July 2009.
DFAT Invites Submissions on PACER Plus
The Department invites public submissions and comments on a prospective trade and economic agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the Forum Island Countries, known as PACER Plus.
New Ministerial Dialogue with Japan
Minister for Trade Simon Crean has announced a new bilateral ministerial dialogue with Japan's Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr Toshihiro Nikai.
Australian assistance for Palestinian people
Visiting the Palestinian Territories, the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard announced that Australia will provide $10 million for essential services such as education and health care for the Palestinian people.
• Deputy Prime Minister signs six Memoranda of Understanding with Iraq
Australia increases support for trade in developing countries
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, jointly announced that Australia will more than double assistance for trade to developing countries through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Australia and New Zealand launch the world's largest non-lethal whale research partnership
Australia and New Zealand today announced the first Antarctic whale research expedition as part of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership.