New Australian Ambassador to the PH Lays out Developmental Bilateral Agenda
In celebration of the strong ties between Australia and the Philippines, new Australian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Steven J. Robinson AO welcomed media in his residence in North Forbes Park, Makati City for an Annual Journalists’ Reception last April 4, 2019.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Steven J. Robinson AO
Ambassador Robinson laid out his agenda in developing a stronger bilateral relationship between the two countries in the next three years of his service as the ambassador to the Philippines.
With the upcoming 75th year celebration of the Australia-Philippines diplomatic relations in 2021, the new ambassador is set to focus on enhancing the education, business links, and defense relations of the two countries.
“The relationship between us is built on a very firm foundation, and that firm foundation raises on our defense ties, security and intelligence ties, development assistance ties, and then our business ties,” said Robinson.
The ambassador’s agenda
The Philippines is one of the longest-standing bilateral relationships Australia has since it was founded in May 1946.
According to Robinson, Australia is currently providing 85 million dollars to the development assistance where most of it will be given to Mindanao in particular. This is significantly tied to the passing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the south.
Relating to the development assistance is the education ties, wherein Australia is now the number 1 preferred study destination for Filipino students over the past 5 years with a 35.9 percent increase in 2018. As of today, there are 12,600 Filipinos studying in Australia enrolled in a variety of courses and more than 60 Filipinos are doing their master’s and PhDs.
In terms of defense relationship, Australia is linked with the US Armed Forces in providing assistance to the Philippine Army through the Balikatan exercises. “We got a range of military personnel here working with the Philippine military to provide training and support, and I’m anticipating the pact will continue and we know for some fact that we will be here until the end of this year,” Robinson stated.
Economic ties with the PH
Ever since his arrival to the country, Ambassador Robinson has been working on the trade relationships and business links between the two countries stating that the financial trade between the Philippines and Australia is relatively small compared to other ASEAN countries.
(L-R) Austal Philippines President Wayne Murray, Mrs. Rhonda Robinson, QBE Insurance Executive General Manager Mark Woolfrey, ANZ Bank Philippines CEO Anna Green, Macquarie Philippines Division Director Eric Yaptangco, OceanaGold Philippines Country Director Bradley Norman, and Anzcham Philippines President Daniel Alexander
There are now more than 300 Australian companies in the Philippines from the industries of finance, education, mining, employment, engineering, and many more. They are also set to employ about 44,000 people in the said industries.
Some of these companies include the ANZ Banking Group, Austal Philippines, IDP Education, Macquarie Philippines, OceanaGold, QBE Insurance, Site Skills Training Philippines, and TPWS Philippines.
Australian Business Briefing with representatives from 9 Australian companies
“I would like to improve the number of Australian businesses there are up here and the investment in the Philippines, and also I would like to improve the amount of investment in the Philippines into Australia,” the ambassador said.
Written by Deneca Ordinanza
