This week in Australian foreign affairs: Australian assistance team heads to Myanmar; calls for an independent inquiry into the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics; the  government rejects China’s call for a joint response to Trump’s latest tariff escalation, and more.

On 5 April, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, and Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy joined Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister to announce the deployment of an Australian assistance team to Myanmar. The deployment is in response to a devastating earthquake that has killed over 3,000 people and injured more than 4,500. The mission includes an Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) and personnel from DFAT and the National Emergency Management Agency. The AUSMAT team will help coordinate emergency healthcare efforts, working alongside the Australia Assists Rapid Response Team already on the ground. This builds on earlier Australian aid through NGOs, the Red Cross, and ASEAN, focused on delivering relief supplies and medical support. According to the release, Australia has reaffirmed that no aid goes directly to Myanmar’s military regime, with all assistance delivered through trusted partners. The government has also urged the regime to maintain and expand recent ceasefire commitments to ensure safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

Australia has joined global calls for an independent inquiry into the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency personnel, who were killed when Israeli forces fired upon their convoy in southern Gaza. The demand follows the emergence of new video footage that seems to challenge Israel’s official account of why its troops targeted the convoy. The bodies of eight Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics, six members of Gaza’s civil defence, and one United Nations staff member were discovered in a shallow mass grave near Tel al-Sultan, close to Rafah, last Sunday, alongside the destroyed remains of their vehicles. According to ABC News, “The Australian government has now made its views clear to Israeli officials, and raised the matter multiple times during the week.” “Aid workers must be protected and Australia repeats its call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law. It is appropriate that there is a thorough and independent investigation. Those responsible must be held accountable,” remarked a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

On 4 April, the Australian government updated its travel advice for South Korea in response to rising political tensions following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. While the overall Smartraveller guidance remains at “exercise normal safety precautions,” a more specific warning has been issued due to anticipated protests and large public gatherings in the wake of the constitutional court’s ruling. On Friday 3 April, South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the National Assembly’s decision to impeach Yoon, who had briefly declared martial law earlier in December, triggering political turmoil. The court found that Yoon had exceeded his constitutional authority, describing his actions as a serious threat to democratic governance. The decision sparked widespread public demonstrations, with thousands taking to the streets in celebration of the court’s verdict. In anticipation of such unrest, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) warned travellers to stay clear of major protest sites and areas with heightened police activity. “Large crowds and protests are expected in Seoul and elsewhere around the country,” the advisory stated. It also reminded travellers that foreign nationals are generally not allowed to participate in domestic political activities while in South Korea. The advisory specifically noted potential gathering points around the National Assembly in Yeouido, Gwanghwamun Square, the Constitutional Court in Anguk, and near the Presidential Office and Residence in Seoul. University campuses may also see increased activity.

The Australian government has rejected China’s call for a joint response to Donald Trump’s latest tariff escalation, which includes a 125 percent levy on Chinese goods. Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian invited Australia to “join hands” with Beijing in solidarity against what he called the US’s “hegemonic and bullying behaviour.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles dismissed the offer, stating that Australia would not “be holding China’s hand” and would instead pursue its own national interests. Marles emphasised that while Australia does not want to see a trade war between the US and China, it will remain focused on diversifying trade ties with key partners such as Indonesia, India, the UK, and the UAE. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed this sentiment, saying that although China is Australia’s largest trading partner, the country will “speak for ourselves” and seek new opportunities in a changing global trade environment.

Disclaimer: Due to the ongoing Australian government election and disruption to government office media announcements on foreign affairs, we will be sourcing some information from reputable media outlet such as the ABC and SBS.

Dr Adam Bartley is the managing editor for AIIA’s Australian Outlook and weekly columnist for The Week in Australian Foreign Affairs. He is a former Fulbright Scholar and non-resident fellow at the Elliot School for International Affairs, the George Washington University. Adam also has positions as post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation RMIT University and as program manager of the AI Trilateral Experts Group. He can be found on Twitter here.

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