Australia–Qatar relations

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Australia-Qatar relations
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Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Qatar (A$ millions) since 1988 ABS-5368.0-InternationalTradeInGoodsServicesAustralia-MerchandiseExportsCountryCountryGroupsFobValue-Qatar-A1829165L.svg
Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Qatar (A$ millions) since 1988
Monthly value of Qatari merchandise exports to Australia (A$ millions) since 1988 ABS-5439.0-InternationalMerchandiseImportsAustralia-CountryCountryGroupsCustomsValue-Qatar-A1829481R.svg
Monthly value of Qatari merchandise exports to Australia (A$ millions) since 1988

Bilateral relations exist between the Commonwealth of Australia and the state of Qatar.

Contents

In 2012, Qatar opened an embassy in Canberra, Australia and an Ambassador to Qatar and the UAE was appointed, the first time an Ambassador to Qatar has been appointed. There are 3,000 Australians in Qatar. [1] [2]

In 2016, Australia opened an embassy in Doha, Qatar. [3] The Australian ambassador to Qatar is Shane Flanagan. [4] [5]

Investment

Up to 2017, Hassad Food, which is an investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority, had invested more than $500 million to buy prime agricultural land in Australia, to own 3,000 square kilometres, with five properties in New South Wales, one in Victoria, one in Queensland, three in South Australia and three in Western Australia.

2020 airport incident

On 2 October 2020, thirteen Australian female passengers aboard a Qatar Airways flight to Sydney from Hamad International Airport in Doha were forced to deplane before takeoff, and were subsequently strip searched and "subjected to an invasive internal examination" against their will. This was alleged prompted by the discovery of a newborn baby in an airport bathroom. [6] This evolved into a diplomatic incident between Australia and Qatar with Australian foreign minister Marise Payne stating "the treatment of the women concerned was offensive, grossly inappropriate, and beyond circumstances in which the women could give free and informed consent". [7]

Following adverse media coverage, on 28 October the Qatari government issued a statement of regret and promised a "comprehensive, transparent investigation". [8] In April 2024, the Federal Court of Australia ruled in favor of dismissing the case, as it determined that the searches did not occur on a Qatar Airways aircraft nor were conducted by the airline's staff. Additionally, Qatar promptly and vehemently voiced its disapproval of the incident, with Qatari officials issuing multiple apologies soon after the event took place. [9]

FIFA 2022

In December 2022, Football Australia reflected on a memorable FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. [10] Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, said that he would like to extend his heartfelt congratulations to Argentina, led by one of the greatest players of all time in Lionel Messi, on claiming their third FIFA World Cup crown. [11]

As of July 2023 Qatar Airways, the flag carrier airline of Qatar has services to and from Hamad International Airport in Doha to five Australian cities.

Humanitarian Assistance

In October 2023, as the government was working towards bringing back Australians stranded in war-torn Israel back home, as a surprising ally Qatar became the first nation to offer help, Qatar’s flight QR7424 played a crucial role by providing dedicated rescue services to 222 Australians who were trying to escape Israel. [12] [13]

Furthermore, in the same month, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, HE Tim Watts, engaged in discussions regarding bilateral cooperation. The talks also covered developments in the Gaza Strip and strategies for collaborative humanitarian aid efforts in the region. Additionally, Watts expressed gratitude to Qatar for its initiatives aimed at de-escalation and safeguarding civilians. [14]

In November 2023, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Penny Wong stressed the need for coordinated regional and global diplomatic actions to secure an urgent ceasefire and permanent access through the Rafah border crossing. This is vital to maintain the steady delivery of relief supplies and humanitarian aid to the distressed Palestinian community in Gaza. Qatar's deep apprehension regarding the severe humanitarian crisis in the region was also highlighted, along with gratitude for Qatar's ongoing humanitarian initiatives in Gaza. [15]

In March 2024, Australian Ambassador HE Shane Flanagan praised Qatar for its mediation endeavors in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. [16]

In May 2024, Qatar strongly condemned the Israeli military's assaults on Rafah and called for swift international intervention to avert additional harm, safeguard civilians, and uphold global legal standards. [17] Additionally, Australia expressed solidarity with Qatar's call for a humanitarian truce to facilitate the release of captives and enable unimpeded aid delivery, while also voicing staunch disapproval of any potential ground incursion in Rafah, stated by Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia. [18]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Peter Townson (6 May 2012). "Australian envoy sees ties growing stronger". Gulf Times. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Joseph Vargese. "Qatar to open embassy in Australia this year: Envoy". Qatar Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Embassy of Australia in Doha
  4. ↑ "Amir receives credentials of five new ambassadors". Gulf Times. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ambassador to Qatar". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. ↑ Albeck-Ripka, Livia; Zhuang, Yan (26 October 2020). "Women on Qatar Airways Flight Strip-Searched, Sparking Outrage in Australia". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Women on flight from Qatar to Australia reportedly internally examined on tarmac after premature baby found in Doha airport bathroom
  8. ↑ "Qatar's airport strip-searching incident shocked Australia. Here's what we know". ABC News. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Guy, Jack (11 April 2024). "Qatar Airlines avoids Australian lawsuit over forced invasive examinations of women". CNN. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  10. ↑ "Football Australia reflects on a memorable FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "Football Australia reflects on a memorable FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  12. ↑ https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fqatar-offers-to-bring-australians-home-from-war-torn-israel%2Fnews-story%2Fa54c9780b37e3263fd8ffd88f4591878&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-1-NOSCORE
  13. ↑ "'Every boom, you feel it': Australians describe Israel terror amid emotional airport reunions". www.9news.com.au. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "Lolwah, Australian assistant discuss humanitarian aid to Gaza".
  15. ↑ Tribune, Qatar (15 November 2023). "Australian FM thanks Qatar for Gaza efforts". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  16. ↑ Tribune, Qatar; Siddiqui, Ashraf (28 March 2024). "Australian ambassador praises Qatar's mediation efforts for ceasefire in Gaza". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "Qatar calls for 'urgent international action' to prevent Israeli invasion of Rafah". Voice of America. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  18. ↑ "Senator Penny Wong statement".
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