Podcasts about australian high commissioner

Australian High Commissioner to Kenya H.E Jenny Da Rin on #DriveInn with June Gachui by Capital FM

During our "Saturday Mornings Sit-Down Conversation" H.E. Allaster Cox the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore talks with Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen about 60 years of bilateral ties with Singapore and how Australia is looking at the world during this geopolitically challenging time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we discuss the long-term implications of the AUKUS security partnership for the national security and defence industrial base of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Joined by The Hon. Stephen Smith, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Jeff Lewis, Vice President of Defence, ADS Group, we explore what AUKUS is, the impact it has on the three member nations, and what it could mean for the future.

In Episode 131 of the No Limitations podcast Meeting in a Telephone Box, Blenheim Partners' Gregory Robinson speaks to the 45th Premier of Tasmania, The Hon Will Hodgman. Will was the member for Franklin between 2002 and 2020 and is currently the Principal of Hodgman Partners. In a compelling discussion, Will describes his start in life in a family with an illustrious history in Tasmanian politics. Whilst emphasising the major achievements of his government, including budget repair, an improved tourism industry, better education outcomes, and a stronger economy, he also does not shy away from many of the chronic problems facing Tasmania today. Will depicts himself as a proud and passionate Tasmanian and explains his reasons for resigning as Premier after only six years in office. In addition, Will addresses a number of important topics, including the need for indigenous recognition in the Preamble to the Constitution, his thoughts on four year federal parliamentary terms, and his preference for Australia to become a republic. Will sheds light on his meaningful and rewarding work outside of Parliament as High Commissioner to Singapore and reflects on the “enormous” opportunity for Australia in South East Asia and its common ground with Singapore as an advanced and first-world democracy. Lastly, Will asserts that Tasmania and Australia should seek a more ambitious reform agenda. Will started his career at Hobart law firm Wallace Wilkinson & Webster, practising in criminal and personal injury law. Will was then a solicitor for the Wiltshire County Council in the United Kingdom where he appeared in the County Court and the High Court. Will returned to Hobart and continued to practise as a solicitor and as a barrister before he entered Tasmanian Parliament in 2002 in the electorate of Franklin alongside his father who was the member for the neighbouring Denison electorate. Will was re-elected in 2006 and was unanimously voted as leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party. After a hung parliament in 2010 in which the incumbent Labor Government was returned to power, in 2014, and under Will's leadership, the Liberal Party formed government. Will served as Premier for six years (including another election victory in 2018) before leaving politics. Thereafter, Will was the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore. He now operates Hodgman Partners, his own consultancy, and acts as an adviser to a range of businesses across the asset management, sustainable energy storage, and technology and artificial intelligence industries. Please note: this episode was recorded on 21 March 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian High commissioner to Kenya Jeeny Da Rin on #DriveInn with Maqbul by Capital FM

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Faith Medcalf (1935-2023), who devoted much of her life to school education and teacher training in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Have Australians lost sight of the importance of the Australia-PNG relationship? What impact has Prime Minister Marape's address to the Australian Parliament, and the new security agreement had on public perceptions? And how can a shared history help to further develop this complex and critical relationship? In this episode, Ian Kemish, Oliver Nobetau and Nayahamui Rooney join Rory Medcalf to delve into the dynamics of Australia-Papua New Guinea bilateral relations, and explore how the two nations can strengthen their bond. Dr Nayahamui Rooney is a Lecturer with the School of Culture, History & Language in the College of Asia & the Pacific at the Australian National University (ANU). Ian Kemish AM is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC), and the former Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. Oliver Nobetau is an FDC Pacific Fellow at the Lowy Institute, on secondment from the Government of Papua New Guinea. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. Show notes: Securing our Future – national security conference, 9–10 April, 2024: secure your tickets Prime Minister Marape's address to parliament: PNG Prime Minister James Marape makes historic first address to Australian parliament | Sky News Australia Moving beyond the Bougainville Peace Agreement by Ian Kemish AM The state of play in PNG: A momentous start to 2024 by Oliver Nobetau 'Fabricated Security Space': The Manus Regional Processing Centre and gendered discourse between Australia and Papua New Guinea by Dr Nayahamui Rooney We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harinder Kaur Sidhu, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) this year for her contributions to public administration and foreign affairs. In an interview with SBS Hindi, Ms Sidhu reflects on her career as a seasoned diplomat, emphasising the guiding principle of 'sewa' (service).

We all have assumptions of what citizenship means. However, in recent years we are starting to see the envelop pushed with more common law rights being taken away. From Australia shutting its doors during the pandemic to authoritarian regimes acquiring the habit of turning travellers into political prisoners, where is it becoming too dangerous to go? And if an Australian passport does not protect you, what are you owed by your government?  Kylie Moore-Gilbert is a scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. She was falsely charged with espionage and imprisoned in Iran from September 2018 to November 2020 before being released in a prisoner exchange deal negotiated by the Australian government. Peter Greste is a journalist, author, media freedom activist and professor at Macquarie University. Before joining academia in 2018, he spent 25 years as a correspondent in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. In 2013, he and two colleagues were arrested in Cairo on terrorism charges. They were convicted and sentenced to seven years in a case regarded as an attack on press freedom. Egypt released Peter after 400 days, and he has since become a press freedom advocate. Ian Kemish AM served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to Germany, Head of the Prime Minister's international division, and Head of the consular service in a diplomatic career that spanned twenty-five years. He is an adjunct professor in history at the University of Queensland, a non-resident fellow with the Lowy Institute, a director of the Australia–Indonesia Centre and an Honorary Fellow of Deakin University. Dr Sangeetha PIllai is a constitutional lawyer and a Senior Research Associate at the Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW Sydney. She is an expert on Australian citizenship law and the scope of government power over citizens and non-citizens. She has published widely on this topic, and is a regular commentator on legal issues relating to citizenship, immigration and refugees in a range of media outlets.    

The past few years have witnessed the rapid growth of the India-Australia relationship. The agenda for bilateral partnership has expanded significantly from trade and security to emerging technologies and human capital development. In this special episode, Manoj Kewalramani speaks to Philip Green, the new Australian High Commissioner to India, on the priorities for the two sides going forward. Do check out Takshashila's public policy courses: https://school.takshashila.org.in/courses We are @‌IVMPodcasts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. https://twitter.com/IVMPodcasts https://www.instagram.com/ivmpodcasts/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/ivmpodcasts/ You can check out our website at https://shows.ivmpodcasts.com/featured Follow the show across platforms: Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music Do share the word with your folksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Attorney-General George Brandis joins us to discuss the geographic challenges facing the Liberal Party, referendum politics, and Anthony Albanese's attendance at NATO.Can moderates regain a foothold in the Liberal Party after the 2022 election defeat? Would releasing an early draft of the Voice to Parliament legislation silence some of the ‘yes' campaign's critics? And did Anthony Albanese make the right decision to attend the NATO meeting in Vilnius? Professor George Brandis KC joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss these questions and more on this episode of Democracy Sausage.George Brandis KC is a former Attorney-General, the recent Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and a Professor in the Practice of National Security at The Australian National University (ANU).Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.Mark Kenny is a Professor at the ANU Australian Studies Institute. He came to the University after a high-profile journalistic career including six years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times.Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we delve into the realm of human rights in Ghana with the Australian High Commissioner, engaging in a thought-provoking conversation. Through powerful stories of individuals facing human rights abuses, we shed light on the realities of their struggles. Dr. Ramata Seidu offers her invaluable insights from a mental health perspective, addressing the often overlooked challenges faced by older women experiencing mental health issues in Ghana. Tune in for an eye-opening exploration of resilience, advocacy, and the pursuit of justice.

Change is now the new normal, whether it is in response to an external shock, or internally generated to capitalise on an emerging strategic opportunity. With change, comes a need for workforce transformation.In this special re-run episode, we revisit the conversation we brought to our listeners in August 2022. The conversation explores the topic of workforce transformation and the skills that leaders need to make it stick.We were joined by Adam Canwell, Oceania Workforce Advisory Leader at EY Australia, Dr Andrew White, a Senior Fellow in Management Practice at the Oxford University's Saïd Business School, and Harinder Sidhu, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.Discussed in this episode:Findings of recent studies in workforce transformation.Factors that are necessary for a successful workforce transformation.Workforce transformation in the Australian public service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Change has become the new normal, whether it is in response to an external shock, or internally generated to capitalise on an emerging strategic opportunity. With change, comes a need for workforce transformation. Given the risks and opportunities that leaders face today, what skills do leaders need in order to successfully lead workforce transformation?In this episode, we are joined by Adam Canwell, the Australian Lead of People Advisory Services Partner: Victoria at EY, Dr Andrew White, a Senior Fellow in Management Practice at Saïd Business School, Oxford University, and Harinder Sidhu, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Listen as they discuss recent research on the skills needed to lead workforce transformation, and its relevance to the Australian public service.Discussed in this episode:· Findings of recent studies in workforce transformation.· Factors that are necessary for a successful workforce transformation.· Workforce transformation in the Australian public service. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working in the public service means to serve for the country and the future of its people. The public service is a critical function of Australia's democracy; however, it is a complex and challenging environment. With the last couple of years of the pandemic, the Australian public service has shifted rapidly from a competitive environment to a more collaborative one between Departments.In this episode, we are joined by Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Patrick Hetherington, Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Social Services, and Sean Innis, Principal of Damala Street Consulting. Hosted by Chairman of Partners Canberra at KPMG, Cath Ingram, they explore the purpose, impact, rewards, and challenges of contemporary public service.Discussed in this episode:· The pressures of an ‘always-on' environment.· The role of stewardship.· Ethical decision making.· The hollowing and building of capability. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Professor Joanne Wallis and Adjunct Professor Ian Kemish AM join Nicola Rosenblum to discuss the future of Australian diplomacy in the Pacific.It's been a busy year for diplomacy in the Pacific, with visits to multiple countries by China's Foreign Minster Wang Yi and Australia's newly-minted Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Attention for the region heightened at the Pacific Islands Forum when the United States pledged to scale up its engagement in the region, including the establishment of new embassies. Given these recent events why has there been such intense diplomatic interest in the Pacific? Is the Pacific “family” metaphor useful when talking about and with the region? And what role does Australia have in strengthening regional unity? In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Professor of International Security at the University of Adelaide Joanne Wallis and former Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ian Kemish AM join Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College Nicola Rosenblum to discuss the future of diplomacy in the Pacific.Joanne Wallis is Professor of International Security in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Adelaide. She is the author or editor of seven books, including Constitution making during State building and Pacific Power? Australia's Strategy in the Pacific Islands.Ian Kemish AM is an Adjunct Research Professor in History at The University of Queensland and author of The Consul: An insider account from Australia's diplomatic frontline. He was formerly Australia's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to Germany, Head of the Prime Minister's International Division and DFAT's Southeast Asia Division.Nicola Rosenblum is Deputy Head of the National Security College, on secondment from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). She has served as Australia's High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, as well as other diplomatic postings to Australia's High Commission in Pakistan and Australia's mission to the United Nations in Vienna.We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 21 July 2022, the Lowy Institute hosted the launch of 'The Consul', written by Nonresident Fellow Ian Kemish. The book was launched by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon Tim Watts MP, with a conversation afterwards between Ian Kemish and Natasha Kassam, Director of the Institute's Public Opinion and Foreign Policy program. How have world events shaped the way we travel now and what does future travel look like? What should we expect of our government when we are overseas? Where does personal responsibility begin and end? Is Australia's consular service adequately resourced? Since 2000, there has been extraordinary growth in the demands on the Australian consular service — the men and women who step forward to support their fellow Australians when they experience serious difficulty overseas. Australia's consular officers are often on the frontline of major international crises — from natural disasters to terrorist attacks, evacuations from war zones, to a global pandemic. Ian Kemish AM served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to Germany, led the Prime Minister's International Division, and headed Australia's consular service in a diplomatic career that spanned 25 years. He was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for his leadership of Australia's response to the 2002 Bali bombings. He is a Nonresident Fellow with the Lowy Institute, an Adjunct Professor in history at the University of Queensland, a Director of the Australia–Indonesia Centre and an Honorary Fellow of Deakin University. Hon Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs is the Federal Member for Gellibrand in Melbourne's west. Before entering Parliament, he worked in the technology sector, as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Minister for Communications and a Senior Adviser to the Victorian Premier. Since being elected in 2013, Tim has served in a range of roles including as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security and Communications. During his time in Parliament, he has been an active participant in a range of youth and track 1.5 dialogues including with Indonesia, China, India and the United States.

Scott Ryan, Australian High Commissioner to Canada, discusses bilateral economic and political relations and his early impressions of this country. He is in conversation with BIV publisher and editor in chief Kirk LaPointe.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the fifth episode in our leadership series of Good Will Hunters. Today's guest is Peter Varghese AO. Peter would be familiar to many of us who have been working in development and foreign affairs for the better part of the last decade, or longer. Peter has had an extensive career in the public service spanning 38 years. From 2012-2013 he was the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (or DFAT), during the period where AusAID was integrated into DFAT. He was also the High Commissioner to India from 2009 to 2012 and authored the India Economic Strategy to 2035, commissioned by the Australian Prime Minister. I have included Peter's full bio in the show notes. I actually first met Peter a few years ago in Melbourne during the Australia-India Youth Dialogue where he have a talk alongside the now Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell. In this episode, we discuss what it was like to lead DFAT during the AusAID Integration, including Peter's thoughts on why the decision remains controversial. We discuss Australia's development leadership, including our development policy. And we also look at public sector versus private sector leadership styles during periods of change or crisis. Peter is always insightful and a privilege to learn from. I hope you enjoy the episode. Full bio: Peter Varghese began as Chancellor of The University of Queensland on 11 July 2016. Prior to this appointment, Mr Varghese's extensive career in public service and diplomacy spanned 38 years and included senior positions in foreign affairs, trade policy and intelligence. Most recently, he served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012-2016). Previous senior appointments included High Commissioner to India (2009-2012), High Commissioner to Malaysia (2000-2002), Director-General of the Office of National Assessments (2004-2009), and Senior Advisor (International) to the Prime Minister of Australia (2003-2004). Mr Varghese was the author of a comprehensive India Economic Strategy to 2035 commissioned by the Australian Prime Minister and submitted in July 2018. Mr Varghese was educated at The University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a University Medal in history in 1978. He was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in 2010 and received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from The University of Queensland in 2013. Mr Varghese sits on the boards of CARE Australia and North Queensland Airports and chairs Asialink's advisory council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Editorial Advisory Board. He is also on the international governing board of the Rajaratnum School of International Studies in Singapore. He was awarded the Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop Asialink Medal in 2019 in recognition of outstanding contributions to improving Australia-Asia relations.

The rhetoric around the Solomons and China deal has ramped up with Australians being told they need to be prepared for war.The comment comes from Defence Minister Peter Dutton just hours after Scott Morrison said a Chinese military base in the Solomons would be a red line for his government.Questions are being raised as to whether this is  just posturing from Dutton or a symptom of global insecurity because of the situation in Ukraine and the ever present threat of China.Former Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ian Kemish joined Mike Hosking.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catch Up Radio - Australian High Commissioner Luke Williams Interview #DriveInn by Capital FM

On this week's episode, we'll be taking a look at the fortress that Australia has built around itself, and ask – when will its Zero Covid policy end (01:00)? Also on the podcast: is it racist to point out Britain's changing demographics (14:35)? And is trivia just another way for men to compete (27:00)? With former Australian High Commissioner, Alexander Downer; chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, Layla Moran MP; Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver; York University's Dr Remi Adekoya; Spectator contributor Mark Mason; and QI elf Anna Ptaszynski. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Natasha Feroze.

On this week's episode, we'll be taking a look at the fortress that Australia has built around itself, and ask – when will its Zero Covid policy end (01:00)? Also on the podcast: is it racist to point out Britain's changing demographics (14:35)? And is trivia just another way for men to compete (27:00)? With former Australian High Commissioner, Alexander Downer; chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, Layla Moran MP; Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver; York University's Dr Remi Adekoya; Spectator contributor Mark Mason; and QI elf Anna Ptaszynski. Presented by Lara Prendergast. Produced by Cindy Yu and Natasha Feroze.

Australia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the then-Federation of Malaya when it gained independence in 1957. Six decades later, Australia is among Malaysia's top ten largest trading partners. Lyn Mak speaks to the outgoing Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Andrew Golędzinowski to reflect on the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Australia in this new age, and a look back on his term here. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

To mark Earth Day 2021, we discussed how countries can work together on climate change to make COP26 a success and deliver on the Paris Agreement. With speakers: The Hon George Brandis QC, Australian High Commissioner to the UK HE Dr Farah Faizal, High Commissioner of the Maldives to the UK Stanley Johnson, CEN International Ambassador and former Conservative MEP CEN MP Harriett Baldwin, Chair of the British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union and former Minister for Africa James Cameron, Friend of COP26, adviser and social entrepreneur

Top Story: Government of Ghana to close down the LGBTQI office space that was recently opened in Accra. Conversation and anger towards LGBT practices have been renewed in Ghana following fundraiser which was attended by several diplomats including the Australian High Commissioner who pledged to support the group. The EU office in Ghana has declared support for the group.

Luke Grant is joined by Alexander Downer, Columnist / Former foreign minister & Australian High Commissioner to the UK, who writes that the long-term consequences of this year's policy decisions could include a return to the stagflation of the 1970s. Mr Downer writes, ‘The public assumes the current restrictions are a necessary inconvenience as we await the arrival of a vaccine.  The cavalry is on the way, and soon – in the form of a readily available, effective vaccine – it will save us all.’ ‘I don’t believe it. A readily available vaccine, if it ever happens, is a long way off. It could be years. Much more realistically, therapeutic treatment for those seriously affected by COVID-19 will improve – it has already.’ ‘So all this all begs a very profound question, never asked by our media: For how long are the present measures sustainable? How long can we keep opening and closing parts of the economy and paying subsidies and benefits to the community? For how long can Australia cut itself off from the outside world?’ ‘In 20 years, when my grandchildren are out trying to get jobs, I wonder how they will judge the policymakers of today. They, after all, will have to live with the consequences of the decisions taken around the world this year.’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday 15 July, Lowy Institute Nonresident Fellow Annmaree O’Keeffe hosted a discussion with former Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to Australia Sir Charles Lepani and former Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ian Kemish. This discussion considers what happens next: when relations can return to normal, what will have changed in the PNG-Australia relationship? What should be the priorities for two countries that share geography, history and economic interests?

In the final episode of Around The Next Corner, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand Hon Patricia Forsythe AM talks to Jennifer Westacott AO, Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia about COVID-19 and its impact on the Australian business environment.

Matt Hancock, Health Secretary discusses how lockdown restrictions in Leicester are to be extended for at least two weeks. Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor of Leicester on trying to require extra funding for his city to help businesses in Leicester survive. Julia is also joined by George Brandis, Australian High Commissioner on a Australia-UK free trade deal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

China is discouraging its citizens from visiting Australia due to reports of racist attacks. It has also slapped tariffs and restrictions on certain Australian products after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for independent investigation of the pandemic outbreak. In light of ongoing tensions, we speak with Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Andrew Golędzinowski on balancing Australia's engagement with the US, its long-time ally, and China, and post-Covid-19, the opportunities for deeper economic ties with Malaysia.

In the third episode of our podcast series, Around the Next Corner, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Hon Patricia Forsythe, talks to Australian business leader David Thodey AO, about COVID-19's impact on the world of work and the digital transformation that has resulted.

China is discouraging its citizens from visiting Australia due to reports of racist attacks. It has also slapped tariffs and restrictions on certain Australian products after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for independent investigation of the pandemic outbreak. In light of ongoing tensions, we speak with Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Andrew Golędzinowski on balancing Australia's engagement with the US, its long-time ally, and China, and post-Covid-19, the opportunities for deeper economic ties with Malaysia.

China is discouraging its citizens from visiting Australia due to reports of racist attacks. It has also slapped tariffs and restrictions on certain Australian products after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for independent investigation of the pandemic outbreak. In light of ongoing tensions, we speak with Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Andrew Golędzinowski on balancing Australia's engagement with the US, its long-time ally, and China, and post-Covid-19, the opportunities for deeper economic ties with Malaysia.

In the second episode of our new series, Around The Next Corner, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Hon Patricia Forsythe AM, talks with Dr Tim Williams, Australasia Cities Leader at Arup, about the likely impact of COVID-19 on the form and function of cities in the future.

Allan and Darren welcome Harinder Sidhu to the podcast to discuss India and Australia-India relations. A Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Harinder recently returned from a posting as the Australian High Commissioner in New Delhi. Before she went to India, Harinder headed the multilateral division of DFAT while Australia was on the UN Security Council. Prior to that, she spent time in the Department of Climate Change, the Office of National Assessments, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She’s also previously had postings in Damascus and Moscow. The conversation begins with India itself. What is the spectrum of views inside India regarding the role it should be playing in the world? How much does India’s domestic political system—both its strengths and continuing challenges—influence its behaviour on the international stage? What is India’s "pitch" for international leadership, and what would be the characteristics of an Indian "model" of international order? And does Covid-19 change the answers to these questions? Turning to Australia’s relationship with India, while successive Australian governments have tended to “discover” India only for the relationship to recede, why might the foundations for a stronger and more durable partnership now be in place? What’s the Indian view of the bilateral relationship? What role does the Indian diaspora in Australia play, and what about Australians who are in India? Finally, what was Harinder’s own experience as High Commissioner as a woman of Indian heritage? And Darren finishes with a very on-brand question for the podcast, asking for Harinder's views on the need to integrate economics and security into policymaking. As always, we invite our listeners to email us at this address: australia.world.pod@gmail.com We welcome feedback, requests and suggestions. You can also contact Darren on twitter @limdarrenj We thank AIIA intern Maddie Gordon for her help with research and audio editing and Rory Stenning for composing our theme music. Relevant links Harinder Sidhu, “Celebrating the ties that bind”, Speech at Hawker Ball, the opening of the Asia Society Australia Centre, Melbourne, 3 October 2019: https://asiasociety.org/australia/celebrating-ties-bind University of Sydney, “Meet Australia’s High Commissioner to India”, 20 November 2019: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2019/11/20/meet-australias-high-commissioner-to-india.html Australian PM Scott Morrison’s Message for Raisina Dialogue 2020, 14 January 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM023sUFvwg

Hon Craig Knowles AM, Consul-General and Senior Trade Commissioner joins Hon Patricia Forsythe AM, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, for a discussion about Australia and New Zealand's economic outlook post-COVID-19.

In this episode of Policy, Guns and Money, Peter Jennings, Executive Director of ASPI, speaks with Isaiya Kabira, Kenya's High Commissioner to Australia about the significance of Africa Day and Africa's progress since the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. They talked about the impacts of Covid-19 in Africa and also discussed Australia's relationship with Kenya and Australia's ties to Africa more broadly. Next, Brendan Nicholson, Executive Editor of The Strategist speaks to Claire Ireland, Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, about Australia and Nigeria's bilateral interests and the evolution of Australia's relationship with Africa. And to close, Lisa Sharland, Head of ASPI's International Program, interviewed journalist and filmmaker Santilla Chingaiipe about the African diaspora in Australia and how different communities have been affected by Covid-19. In this episode: Peter Jennings: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/peter-jennings Isaiya Kabira: https://www.kenya.asn.au/copy-of-about-kenya Brendan Nicholson: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/brendan-nicholson Claire Ireland: https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/Pages/high-commissioner-to-nigeria Lisa Sharland: https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/lisa-sharland Santilla Chingaipe: http://www.santillachingaipe.com/ Photo: James Brorson, ASPI Background music: "Unrest" by ELPHNT, via the YouTube Audio Library.

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Third Sunday of Easter following Anzac Day. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle. Recorded before the British Fighting Forces Memorial in Samaria within the Deanery of Westminster Abbey. Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian.   Readers: The Right Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand His Excellency the Honourable George Brandis QC, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Introduction: The Dean Reading: ‘Gallipoli Peninsula’ Alistair Te Ariki Campbell (Jacinda Arden) Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 13-35 (George Brandis) Address: Canon Hawkey Anthem: Hubert Parry My soul, there is a country Prayers and blessing: The Dean Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

The Lowy Institute hosted the Aus–PNG Network Melbourne social evening at the State Library of Victoria. Opening remarks for the evening were delivered by Mr Bruce Davis, Australian High Commissioner to PNG. Lowy Institute Research Fellow Shane McLeod chaired a panel discussion, 'PNG-Australia Education Links: Empowering girls and women in science and technology'. The panel included: Mary Mulcahy (AUS), Director, Education and Outreach for CSIRO Edea Bouraga (PNG), Mechanical Engineer and current chair of Women in Engineering. Sarah Chapman (AUS), Head of Science, Townsville State High School. Nylah Torova (PNG), PNG student at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. Mr Sakias Tameo, PNG Deputy High Commissioner to Australia, gave closing remarks. The Aus–PNG Network is a Lowy Institute project aimed at strengthening people-to-people links between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The Lowy Institute acknowledges the ongoing support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Aus–PNG Network.

The global political climate has continued to change this past week. United States President Donald Trump is now being subjected to impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives. The People's Republic of China is celebrating 70 years of the nation's founding under Communist rule. Australia and New Zealand have been at the centre of both international stories. The Chinese embassy in New Zealand held a reception to celebrating the nation's communist beginnings with senior national government politicians and bureaucrats in attendance. It has been reported by the New York Times that Donald Trump in a phone call with Scott Morrison asked for intelligence to be passed onto his Attorney-General Bill Barr. This related to former Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Alexander Downer's conversation with Trump campaign George Papadopoulos in 2016 where he said Russia had Hillary Clinton's emails. This was a month before Wikileaks published them. The Unshackled Links: Website: https://www.theunshackled.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TUnshackled Twitter: https://twitter.com/Un_shackled Gab: https://gab.ai/theunshackled Telegram: https://t.me/theunshackled Right Minds NZ Links: Website: https://www.rightminds.nz/ Donate: https://www.rightminds.nz/donate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightmindsnz/ Twitter https://twitter.com/rightmindsnz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFcFU3Qv9lKc9rHEIqWd6Dw Unshackled Productions: WilmsFront: http://www.timwilms.com Debt Nation: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKEHuAGzwVtIEIFW3cZOPg The Uncuckables: http://theuncuckables.com/ The Report from Tiger Mountain: https://www.facebook.com/reportfromtigermountain/ Further Unshackled Links: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theunshackled/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/the_unshackled Minds: https://www.minds.com/The_Unshackled MeWe: https://mewe.com/p/theunshackled Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/theunshackled/ Membership: http://www.theunshackled.net/membership Donate: https://www.theunshackled.net/donate/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theunshackled Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/TheUnshackled Events: https://www.theunshackled.net/events/ Store: https://www.theunshackled.net/store/

Allan and Darren kick off this episode by discussing Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent overseas trip. The PM’s first stop was Vietnam for a bilateral visit. Although China loomed over proceedings, it was never directly called out - does this matter? And is it significant that Australia is becoming "mates" with a country with very different political values? Next was France, where President Macron had invited Morrison to be an observer at the G7 leaders’ summit. Was this a big deal, and what did we learn from the summit overall? Moving on, Australia has formally announced its participation in the US-led maritime security mission in the Persian Gulf, and Darren wants to know if this is purely about alliance management. Fourth, the two discuss the difficult situation in Kashmir, and consider Australia’s neutral response. Finally, the government sent its largest ministerial delegation to PNG for some years. Darren asks Allan about the issues in providing foreign aid as direct budgetary assistance, and the general state of the bilateral relationship. As always, we invite our listeners to email us at this address: australia.world.pod@gmail.com We welcome feedback, requests and suggestions. You can also contact Darren on twitter @limdarrenj We thank AIIA intern James Hayne for his help with research and audio editing, and XC Chong for research assistance. As always, we’re grateful to Rory Stenning for composing our theme music. Relevant links Prime Minister of Australia, “Joint Statement Between Viet Nam and Australia”, Media Release, 23 August 2019: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/joint-statement-between-viet-nam-and-australia Prime Minister of Australia, “More Action to Prevent Online Terror”, Media Release, 26 August 2019: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/more-action-prevent-online-terror Prime Minister of Australia, “Australia Joins International Maritime Security Construct in the Gulf”, Media Release, 21 August 2019: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-joins-international-maritime-security-construct-gulf The Economist, “When India’s government abuses power, the media cheer”, 22 August 2019: https://www.economist.com/asia/2019/08/22/when-indias-government-abuses-power-the-media-cheer “Kashmir issue should be resolved bilaterally: Australian High Commissioner”, ANI News, 30 August 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVIJgIXTZPY The Wandering Earth (imdb page): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7605074/?ref_=nv_sr_2?ref_=nv_sr_2   Kate Knibbs, “A Pre–‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ Lesson on the Manson Family”, The Ringer (note, spoiler free): https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/7/24/20708506/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-charles-manson-family-sharon-tate

Welcome to Trans-Tasman Tales, the free podcast by the Australian High Commission in New Zealand.In today's episode, recently arrived Australian High Commissioner H.E. Hon Patricia Forsythe AM sits down with outgoing Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Cumpston. The two reflect on Patricia's first impressions and Andrew's experiences over his time as Deputy High Commissioner - and at times, Acting High Commissioner - on his last day in the office.Like any good trans-Tasman banter, conversation eventually closes in on sport - with the Boxing Day Cricket Test Match causing some anxiety for the pair.Keep up to date with the Australian High Commission in New Zealand by following us on social media: Find us on FacebookFind us on TwitterFind us on LinkedInVisit our website Music by Lee Rosevere

James Millar is joined by George Brandis, Australia's High Commissioner in the UK, and Professor Jonathan Portes for our latest Brexit Breakdown podcast.

Informal dialogue between the US, Japan, Australia and India, "Quad" will be effective against China, said Harinder Sidhu, the Australian High Commissioner to New Delhi. - সমুদ্রপথে চীনের মোকাবেলায় অস্ট্রেলিয়া, আমেরিকা, জাপান ও ভারতের জোট কোয়াড নিয়ে আশাবাদী দিল্লিতে নিযুক্ত অস্ট্রেলিয়ার রাষ্ট্রদূত হরিন্দ্র সিধু।

Hello Listener! Thank you for listening.  If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link below: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Or you can become a Fluffle Supporter by donating through Patreon.com at the link below: Patreon/Hare of the Rabbit What's this Patreon? Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. What do you need? Please support Hare of the Rabbit Podcast financially by becoming a Patron. Patrons agree to a regular contribution, starting at $1 per episode. Patreon.com takes a token amount as a small processing fee, but most of your money will go directly towards supporting the Hare of the Rabbit Podcast. You can change or stop your payments at any time. You can also support by donating through PayPal.com at the link below: Hare of the Rabbit PayPal Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger.   China is the home of this very recently developed breed, Chinese Angora's, or Chinese Coarse-wool Angoras as they are often called were created by crossing German ANgora, French Angora and White New Zealands during the late 1980's strictly for the commercial wool market. China is currently the number one supplier of raw angora fiber to the world. They developed the Chinese Angora, also known as the Coarse-Wool Angora in the late 1980’s by cross-breeding French and German Angoras with the White New Zealand rabbit. Chinese Angora is about 15% bristle fiber. Compare this to other Angora breeds that give at most 1.8% bristle fiber. The breed comes in Ruby-eyed White variety. The breed weighs about 9 to 9 3/4 lb (4.1 - 4.4 kg) https://www.raising-rabbits.com/angora-rabbit.html Now when we discuss Chinese Angora there is a video by PETA that is very difficult to watch. In the video we see the wool being yanked off, guard hairs included, in a manner that will ruin the coat for several cycles. It will damage the hair follicles and greatly reduce the quality and value of future harvests as new coats will grow in coarser and hairier. This scene suggests that the violent plucking at the beginning of the video and the shearing that followed took place on the same farm. Since commercial farmers generally don’t have mixed herds of molting and non-molting rabbits, we can also suppose that all the rabbits shown are non-molting German Angoras. The burning question is now unavoidable: Was the violent plucking of a non-molting rabbit in the opening sequence staged for the camera? It seems this would not be a normal practice on a commercial Angora farm. Basically, any farmer who treated his animals in such a way would not be in business long. In other words, rather than being “more lucrative”, it would only lose them money in the long run. However, I am not say the video was definitely staged. It is also conceivable that it showed a farm where everything was being done wrong. This could be a staged video of animal cruelty that is intended to fool the public into thinking these acts are standard practice in the fur industry, or a very poorly managed farm. https://www.truthaboutfur.com/blog/is-petas-angora-rabbit-video-staged/ Myxomatosis (sometimes shortened to "myxo" or "myxy") is a disease that affects rabbits, caused by the myxoma virus. It was first observed in Uruguay in laboratory rabbits in the late 19th century. It was introduced into Australia in 1950 in an attempt to control the rabbit population. Affected rabbits develop skin tumors, and in some cases blindness, followed by fatigue and fever; they usually die within 14 days of contracting the disease. Myxomatosis refers to an often fatal disease that affects domestic and wild rabbit populations. This disease is caused by the myxoma virus, a species of the poxvirus family. Several strains of this virus exist today. The virus is most commonly spread through insect bites, as the insect transmits the virus through its mouthparts after feeding from an infected animal. Transmittal methods can include fly bites, fur mite bites, mosquito bites, thorns, animal bedding, and food. The disease is spread by direct contact with an affected animal or by being bitten by fleas or mosquitoes that have fed on an infected rabbit. The myxomatosis virus does not replicate in these insect hosts, but can be physically carried by an insect's mouthparts, i.e. from an infected rabbit to another susceptible animal. Due to the potential of insect vector transmission, pet rabbits may be susceptible in enzootic areas and vaccination is highly recommended. The History of Myxomatosis Now this history is written by Professor of Microbiology, John Curtin of the School of Medical Research Myxomatosis constituted the major part of my personal research between 1952 and 1967. To put it in perspective, I (Professor of Microbiology, John Curtin School of Medical Research) will begin with a very brief outline of its history, which is covered in detail in Fenner and Fantini (1999). Myxomatosis was first recognized as a virus disease when it killed European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Giuseppe Sanarelli's laboratory in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1896. In 1911, workers in the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro observed the disease in their laboratory rabbits and correctly classified the causative agent as a large virus. Henrique de Beaurepaire Aragão, working at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, showed that it could be transmitted mechanically by insect bite. In 1942, he showed that the reservoir host in Brazil was the local wild rabbit, Sylvilagus brasiliensis, in which the virus produced a localized nodule in the skin. Knowing that the European rabbit was a major pest animal in Australia, and impressed by the lethality of the disease in these rabbits , in 1919 Aragão wrote to the Australian government suggesting that it should be used here for rabbit control, but the quarantine authorities would not permit its importation. Effects of the disease In rabbits of the genus Sylvilagus (cottontail rabbits) living in the Americas, myxomatosis causes only localized skin tumors, but the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is more severely affected. At first, normally the disease is visible by lumps (myxomata) and puffiness around the head and genitals. It may progress to acute conjunctivitis and possibly blindness; however, this also may be the first visible symptom of the disease. The rabbits become listless, looses appetite, and develops a fever. Secondary bacterial infections occur in most cases, which cause pneumonia and purulent inflammation of the lungs. In cases where the rabbit has little or no resistance, death may take place rapidly, often in as little as 48 hours; most cases result in death within 14 days. Often the symptoms like blindness make the infected rabbit more vulnerable to predators. Effects on other organisms Rabbits helped keep vegetation in their environments short through grazing and short grasses are conducive to habitation by the butterfly, Plebejus argus. When the population of rabbits experienced a decline due to Myxomatosis, grass lengths increased, limiting the environments in which P. argus could live, thereby contributing to the decline of the butterfly population. Treatment In pet rabbits, myxomatosis can be misdiagnosed as pasteurellosis, a bacterial infection which can be treated with antibiotics. By contrast, there is no treatment for rabbits suffering from myxomatosis, other than palliative care to ease the suffering of individual animals, and the treatment of secondary and opportunistic infections, in the hopes the treated animal will survive. In practice, the owner is often urged to euthanize the animal to end its suffering. Use as a population control agent After its discovery in 1896 in imported rabbits in Uruguay, a relatively harmless strain of the disease spread quickly throughout the wild rabbit populations in South America. Australia In Australia, the virus was first field-tested for population control in 1938. A full-scale release was performed in 1950. Myxomatosis was introduced to Australia in 1950 to reduce pest rabbit numbers. The virus initially reduced the wild rabbit population by 95% but since then resistance to the virus has increased and less deadly strains of the virus have emerged. Pet rabbits do not possess any resistance to myxomatosis and mortality rates are between 96-100%. It was devastatingly effective, reducing the estimated rabbit population from 600 million to 100 million in two years. However, the rabbits remaining alive were those least affected by the disease. Genetic resistance to myxomatosis was observed soon after the first release, and descendants of the survivors acquired partial immunity in the first two decades. The idea was revived by Jean Macnamara, a Melbourne paediatrician who had worked with Macfarlane Burnet and thus had an interest in virus diseases. In 1934, she went on a world tour to investigate poliomyelitis, which was her main professional interest. In America, she visited the laboratory of Richard Shope, in the Princeton branch of the Rockefeller Institute. He was investigating a tumour in local cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), which he showed was caused by a poxvirus related to myxoma virus. He called it fibroma virus. At the time there was an epizootic of myxomatosis in domestic European rabbits (O. cuniculus) in California, which was later found to have a different reservoir host (Sylvilagus bachmani). Shope found that fibroma virus would protect laboratory rabbits against myxomatosis. Learning of this fatal rabbit disease, Macnamara wrote to the Australian High Commissioner in London asking him to help her convince the Government to use the virus for rabbit control. Francis Noble Ratcliffe Born in Calcutta in 1904, Ratcliffe studied zoology at Oxford. In 1928, he came to the notice of the London representative of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and this led to his invitation to come to Australia as Sir David Rivett's ‘biological scout’, to study flying foxes and erosion in arid lands, as a result of which he produced a classic book, Flying Fox and Drifting Sand. He returned to Britain in 1932 as Lecturer in Zoology in Aberdeen, but was invited back to Australia as a scientific adviser to the CSIR Executive in 1935. In 1937, he was transferred to the Division of Economic Entomology to work on termites. In 1942, he joined the Australian Army and served with distinction as Assistant Director of Entomology. Since I was serving in New Guinea as a malariologist at that time, Professor of Microbiology, John Curtin saw quite a lot of him then. After demobilization he served briefly as assistant to the Chief of the Division of Entomology, but in 1948 he was appointed Officer-in-Charge of the newly created Wildlife Survey Section of CSIR. Initially he had to work on rabbit control, and after some disappointments succeeded in introducing myxomatosis. Study of this disease preoccupied the Section for several years, but later he was able to broaden studies of the biology of the rabbit and introduce biological studies of native animals as an important part of the work of the Section, which by then had been expanded to the Division of Wildlife and Ecology. He retired from CSIRO in 1969. He played a major role in setting up the Australian Conservation Foundation in 1964, and devoted a great deal of time to its expansion to become Australia's peak environmental non-government organization, until he had to retire for health reasons in 1970 (see Coman, 1998; Mackerras, 1971). The Chief Quarantine Officer was again very reluctant to allow its importation, but allowed scientists in CSIR (which was transformed into the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, CSIRO, in 1949), to test its species sensitivity against a wide range of domestic and native animals; they found that it infected only European rabbits. Several field trials were carried out, in dry inland areas, but the virus died out. Then came World War II, and in 1943 all investigations were stopped. With so many country boys in the army, rabbit control, such as it was, had been neglected throughout the period 1939 to 1945, and by 1946 rabbits had increased to unprecedented numbers. Jean Macnamara (now Dame Jean) wrote articles in the rural press highly critical of CSIR/CSIRO for not proceeding immediately to try myxomatosis for biological control of the pest. In 1948, a CSIR/CSIRO scientist, Francis Ratcliffe, was appointed Officer-in-Charge of the newly-established Wildlife Survey Section, but instead of studying the native fauna, Ian Clunies Ross, Chairman of the newly-formed CSIRO, insisted that he should first try out myxomatosis. Several field trials failed, but in the Christmas–New Year period of 1950–51 the disease escaped from one of the four trial sites in the Murray valley and spread all over the Murray-Darling basin, killing millions of rabbits. Resistance has been increasing slowly since the 1970s; the disease now kills about 50% of infected rabbits. In an attempt to increase that rate, a second virus (rabbit calicivirus) was introduced into the rabbit population in 1996. France Myxomatosis was introduced to France by the bacteriologist Dr. Paul Armand Delille, following his use of the virus to rid his private estate of rabbits in June 1952 (He inoculated two of the rabbits on his land). Within four months the virus had spread 50 km; Armand suspected this was due to poachers taking infected rabbits from his estate. By 1954, 90% of the wild rabbits in France were dead. The disease spread throughout Europe. Ireland Myxomatosis was deliberately introduced to Ireland by farmers in 1954. The skin of a diseased rabbit was sent by post from the United Kingdom and rubbed on healthy rabbits. Infected animals were transported around the country to hasten the spread of the disease. By 1955, myxomatosis had spread to every part of Ireland and, by the 1960s, the rabbit meat industry had collapsed. United Kingdom The disease reached the UK in 1953. The first outbreak in the UK to be officially confirmed was in Bough Beech, Kent in September 1953. It was encouraged in the UK as an effective rabbit bio-control measure; this was done by placing sick rabbits in burrows, though this is now illegal in the UK under a 1954 law. As a result, it is understood that more than 99% of rabbits in the UK were killed by the outbreak, although populations soon recovered. Myxomatosis in 1950s Britain. In 1953 myxomatosis, a viral disease of rabbits, broke out in Britain for the first time. It rapidly killed tens of millions of the animals from Kent to the Shetlands. Many farmers and foresters welcomed a disease that virtually eliminated a longstanding and serious agricultural pest. Others were horrified by the sight of thousands of dead and dying animals. With meat still rationed, consumers rued the loss of a cheap and nutritious foodstuff. Rough shooters deplored the loss of prey and hatters and furriers the unavailability of the fur on which their businesses depended. Rabbits also had champions within the 'establishment'; these included Winston Churchill who was personally influential in making deliberate transmission of the disease a criminal offence. The arrival in Britain of myxomatosis presented the authorities with difficult questions: should they try to contain it, spread it or do nothing; should they take advantage of rabbit depopulation and try to exterminate such a destructive animal? In the event the outbreak was allowed to run its course and rabbit extermination became government policy. New Zealand Myxomatosis was introduced in New Zealand in the early 1950s as a form of pathogenic control. Unlike in Australia, it failed to become established because of a lack of a suitable spreading organism. Myxomatosis in the US Myxomatosis cases in pet rabbits are periodically reported in the coastal areas of Oregon, California, and Baja California, Mexico, in the territory of the brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) who is a reservoir of this disease. Western Oregon 2016 Marion County, August 2016 Douglas County, July-August 2015 Polk County, June 2010 Western Oregon 2004 Linn & Benton counties, July 2003 Linn & Benton counties, July Northern California 2017 Monterey County/San Benito County, August (Aromas, reported by Dr. Hilary Stern at Animal Hospital of Soquel) 2017 Santa Clara County, June (Los Gatos, reported by guardian & Dr. Curt Nakamura Adobe Animal Hospital) 2017 Santa Barbara County, June, July, August, August 2016 San Luis Obispo, Sept 2016 Santa Cruz County, July & Sept 2016 Santa Barbara County, (reported by CDFA) June & July & August 2015 Monterey County, Sept 2015 Santa Cruz County 2014 Santa Cruz County, August 2013 Sonoma County, October (Sebastopol – reported by guardian & Dr. Pfann, Brandner Vet) 2012 Monterey County (reported by AFRP’s Rescue Rabbits Rock) Southern California 2010 San Gabriel Valley (near Los Angeles), July Baja California (Mexico) 1993 Ensenada, Sept-Oct Use of vaccine A vaccine is available for pet rabbits (ATCvet code: QI08AD02 (WHO)). The vaccine is not allowed to be used in Australia because the live virus in the vaccine has the potential to spread into the wild rabbit population which could result in wild rabbit immunity to myxomatosis. If this happened, there would be a dramatic increase in the number of wild rabbits in Australia, which would cause major damage to the environment and economic losses. Many pet rabbits in Australia continue to die from the disease due to their lack of immunity. There is at least one campaign to allow the vaccine for domestic pets. In the UK a live combination vaccine, Nobivac Myxo-RHD, made by MSD Animal Health, has become available since 2011. Its active ingredient is a live myxoma-vectored RHD virus strain 009 and it offers a duration of immunity of 1 year against both RHD and myxomatosis. There are two vaccinations against myxomatosis, however these are not available in Australia. Thus the only way to prevent infection is to protect your pet rabbits from biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes. Put mosquito netting around your rabbit’s hutch even if indoors (this will help to prevent flystrike as well). If your rabbits are allowed to exercise outside avoid letting them out in the early morning or late afternoon when mosquitoes are more numerous. Please talk to your vet about flea prevention for rabbits. You can use Revolution (Selamectin) or Advantage (Imidocloprid) for flea prevention, but you must check first with your vet for dosages. Do not use Frontline (Fipronil) as this has been associated with severe adverse reactions in rabbits. Natural resistance The development of resistance to the disease has taken different courses. In Australia, the virus initially killed rabbits very quickly – about 4 days after infection. This gave little time for the infection to spread. However, a less virulent form of the virus then became prevalent there, which spread more effectively by being less lethal. In Europe, many rabbits are genetically resistant to the original virus that was spread. The survival rate of diseased rabbits has now increased to 35%, while in the 1950s it was near zero. Hares are not affected by myxomatosis, but can act as vectors. Symptoms and Types Incubation period is usually 1-3 days In the acute form, eyelid edema (swelling) usually develops first Perioral swelling and edema (the tissue of the mouth) Perineal swelling and edema (the outer area between the anus and vulva or scrotum) Cutaneous (skin) hemorrhage Lethargy Anorexia Dyspnea (difficult breathing) Seizures or other central nervous system (CNS) signs - excitement, opisthotonos (spasm of the back muscles) Death typically occurs within 1-2 weeks Wild/outdoor rabbits Cutaneous nodules at the site of transmission (insect bite, scratch) may be noticeable Young wild or feral rabbits may develop disease symptoms similar to pet rabbits Causes This disease is caused by the myxoma virus, a strain of leporipoxvirus. Outbreaks of it are more more likely when mosquitoes are numerous, in the summer and fall. Diagnosis Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your rabbit, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. A blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. One of the obvious symptoms that will help your doctor to make a diagnosis will be the presence of nodules on the skin surface. However, in cases that are very sudden (peracute), there may be no lesions. Subcutaneous ecchymoses, or purple, bruise-like spots on the skin due to the rupturing of blood vessels, are sometimes associated with myxoma virus. An internal exploration may find ecchymoses in serosal surfaces (lining) of the gastrointestinal tract as well. In many cases, there is hepatic necrosis (death of the liver tissue), splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), infarcts (death of tissue due to deprivation of blood supply), or hemorrhage in the lungs, trachea (windpipe), and thymus (gland near the base of the neck). Other findings include undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (the undetermined cells that are capable of transforming into many of the materials needed by the body (e.g., connective tissue, cartilage, blood), inflammatory cells, mucin (glycoproteins found in the mucous), and edema (swelling). If the rabbit is pregnant when it becomes infected, necrotizing lesions may be seen in fetal placentas. Treatment Due to the serious nature of this virus, most rabbits do not survive. Treatment is instead focused on making your rabbit as comfortable as possible. Take your rabbit to the vet immediately if you are concerned your rabbit might have Myxomatosis, and separate them from any other rabbits in your home. Your vet can determine whether your rabbit might instead have rabbit Syphilis, or an upper respiratory infection, or an eye infection, all of which are treatable conditions. If your pet rabbit does develop myxomatosis, your vet will advise the best course of action, which may be euthanasia. Treatment is rarely successful, even if commenced early in the infection and the course of disease is very painful and stressful. Thoroughly disinfect your rabbit hutch, water bottles and food bowls with household bleach, rinsing it off so that it cannot be ingested by any other rabbits. Bringing a new rabbit home is not recommended for at least four months after a case of myxomatosis as the virus is able to survive in the environment for some time. Why isn’t the vaccine in Europe/the UK available in the US? The Myxomatosis vaccine available in Europe and in the UK has not been approved by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics, so there is no vaccine available in the United States, and it is not legal to import the vaccine from other countries. How can I protect my rabbit from Myxomatosis? House your rabbits indoors with window screens. If you live in an area with reported Myxomatosis cases, treat your rabbits monthly with Revolution, to prevent fleas and fur mites. Revolution is a prescription medication, available through your veterinarian. Or, treat with over-the-counter Advantage, which provides protection from fleas (but not from mosquitoes or fur mites). Be sure to give your cats and dogs flea treatment, too. Don’t let your rabbit play outside if you live in an area with currently reported Myxomatosis cases. Rabbits live longer, healthier lives when indoors. Because myxomatosis is just one of many concerns facing rabbits who live outdoors, House Rabbit Society recommends indoor homes for rabbits as the primary preventative, along with adequate screening on doors and windows. For rabbits who must live or spend some of their time out of doors, protection against mosquitoes is next best bet, via protecting the rabbits’ play area with mosquito netting or some other barrier. Prevention Screening to keep out insects, flea control, and keeping your rabbits indoors are some of the most effective preventitve methods against the myxoma virus. If you are bringing new rabbits into the home or property, quarantine the new rabbits, and do not house wild rabbits with domestic pet rabbits. Vaccination with an attenuated myxoma virus vaccine may provide temporary protection, but it may not be available in your area. If you are able to gain access to the vaccine, be aware that it may cause atypical myomatosis (due to it having a small amount of the virus in the vaccine itself). http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p34751/html/ch06s03.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/conditions/viral/c_rb_myxomatosis http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Viral_diseases/Myxo/Myxo.htm https://rabbit.org/myxo/ www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/animal/statement-chief-veterinary-officer-myxomatosis-vaccine http://kb.rspca.org.au/what-is-myxomatosis-and-how-do-i-protect-my-rabbit-from-it_73.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19069081 http://www.furandfeather.co.uk/untitled.pdf https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.42.12.1522 Why Lizards Can’t Sit http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2011/07/why_lizards_cant_sit.html An African-American Folktale Retold by S.E. Schlosser Back in the old days, Brer Lizard was an awful lot like Brer Frog, meaning he could sit upright like a dog. Things were like this for quite a spell. Then one day when they were walking down the road by their swamp, Brer Lizard, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Frog spotted some real nice pasture land with a great big pond that was on the far side of a great big fence. Ooo did that land look good. Looked like a great place for Brer Lizard to catch insects and other good food. And Brer Frog wanted a swim in that big ol’ pool.  Brer Rabbit wanted to lay in the pasture.  Brer Lizard, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Frog went right up to the fence, which got bigger and bigger as they approached. It kinda loomed over them, as big and tall as they were little and small. And the boards of that fence were mashed together real tight, and deep into the ground. It was too tall to hop over, and neither of them was much good at digging, so they couldn’t go under. That fence said Keep Out pretty clear, even though no one had put a sign on it. Well, Brer Lizard, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Frog sat beside that tall fence with their bottoms on the ground and their front ends propped up, ‘cause Brer Lizard could still sit upright then jest like a dog, and they tried to figure out how to get through the fence. Suddenly, Brer Frog saw a narrow crack, low to the ground. “I’m going ta squeeze through that crack over there,” he croaked. “Lawd, help me through!” And Brer Frog hopped over and pushed and squeezed and struggled and prayed his way through that tiny crack until he popped out on t’other side. “Come on Lizard,” Brer Frog called through the crack. “I’m a-comin’!” Brer Lizard called back. “I’m a-goin’ to squeeze through this here crack, Lawd willin’ or not!”   Brer Rabbit hopped off to the pasture, and rested in the sun. Brer Lizard scurried over to the crack in the fence and he pushed and squeezed and struggled and cursed. Suddenly, a rail fell down and mashed him flat! After that, Brer Lizard couldn’t sit upright no more. And he never did get through that fence to eat them insects, neither! http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2011/07/why_lizards_cant_sit.html Word of the week: Laxative © Copyrighted

Welcome to Trans-Tasman Tales, the free podcast by the Australian High Commission in New Zealand.In the latest episode of Trans-Tasman Tales, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand Ewen McDonald sits down with Frances Adamson, Secretary for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.Ewen asks the big questions, including how the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper is going one year on, how Australia and New Zealand can work together to make a difference and whether the flat white is an Aussie or Kiwi creation.Keep up to date with the Australian High Commission in New Zealand by following us on social media: Find us on FacebookFind us on TwitterFind us on LinkedInVisit our website Music by Lee Rosevere

In The Hot Seat, Bruce Gosper,Australian High Commissioner explains more on the important diplomatic relationship between our two countries, and what Singaporean investors should look out for in Australia.

Our first interview for 2018 with Michael Johnsen MP regarding a possible royal visit to the Hunter Valley, with news from Norway, Denmark, the origins of Oak Apple Day and Queen Elizabeth meets the new Australian High Commissioner.See more in this week's show.Become a patron today https://www.patreon.com/join/rightroyalroundup? for US$10 per month for exclusive access for royal news and history.Visit our website https://rightroyalroundup.com.au.Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RightRoyalRoundup, follow us on Twitter @RightRoyalRound and Instagram @rightroyalroundup.

Welcome to Trans-Tasman Tales, the free podcast by the Australian High Commission in New Zealand.Today's episode features Ewen McDonald, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand. Ewen talks with Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Cumpston about his first few months in New Zealand, his career, and his love of footy. Keep up to date with the Australian High Commission in New Zealand by following us on social media: Find us on FacebookFind us on TwitterFind us on LinkedInVisit our website Music by Lee Rosevere

The Address given by His Excellency The Honourable Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, at a Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Centenary of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. #CWGC100

In this podcast, part of a series of speeches from the recent PNG Update, you will hear Mr. Bruce Davis, Australian High Commissioner to PNG; reflect on the diversity and strategic importance of the AUS – PNG relationship. Charles Abel, Honorable Minister for National Planning at the PNG Government, also speaks. Abel discusses the importance of PNG’s transition to a sustainable economy, and arguing that the responsible use of renewable resources is essential if PNG is to sustain growth beyond the resource boom. You can find a link to both speeches at the Devpolicy website (devpolicy.anu.edu.au) under the 2016 PNG Update tab.

2015 PNG Update: Welcome addresses by Professor Albert Mellum and Professor Veronica Taylor, and Inaugural Address by Her Excellency Deborah Stokes, Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. Organised by the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business Administration and the ANU Development Policy Centre, the 2015 PNG Update was held in Port Moresby on June 18-19 2015, at the Main Lecture Theatre at the University of Papua New Guinea.

'Papua New Guinea in Transition: What it means for Australia', presented by Mr Ian Kemish AM, former Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. 28 March 2013. Perspectives:Asia is produced by The Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University and the Australian Centre of Asia-Pacific Art, Queensland Art Gallery I Gallery of Modern Art.