Welcome to the FCA
Welcome to the Foreign Correspondents’ Association (FCA) – Australia & South Pacific. Established in 1985 by a small group of journalists based in Sydney, the FCA has played a key role in helping correspondents perform their job effectively and keeping the rest of the world informed about the people and issues making news in the region. At a time when freedom of expression and independent journalism is often under threat, our members pride themselves on keeping the beacon of free speech alight and telling it how it is.
August 12, 2019: Australia wants to attract high value travellers
August 1, 2019: Foreign Correspondents visit CanberraThe role of Australia in the Asia – Pacific region and how the country can contribute to the solution of conflicts and the development of the region were some of the issues presented by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) to Foreign Correspondents in Canberra. The international Journalists talked to Will Nankervis, Indo-Pacific Strategy and Regional Maritime Branch; Elly Lawson, North Asia Division; Ben Playle, North Asia Division; Cate Rogers, Development Policy Division; Kathy Klugman, Office of the Pacific; Todd Mercer, Regional Trade Agreements Division; and Andrew Byrne, Soft Power, Communications and Scholarships Division. More information about Australia’s Foreign Policy can be found on the White Paper, here.
July 24, 2019: Foreign Correspondents condemn the arrest of a French news team covering a protest in Australia
“To see any arrests or restrictions placed on working media, and in this case arrests of visiting correspondents, is seen by us all as a nasty and dangerous development and threat to the modern democracy for which Australia has been known and admired previously”, says the Foreign Correspondents Association (FCA) – Australia & South Pacific. Read the full statement here.
May 21, 2019: “Sri Lanka Today – From Crisis Recovery to Economy and Tourism”
The Consul-General of Sri Lanka in Sydney, Lal Wickrematunge, told Foreign Correspondents that the nation is working hard to recover from the Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people. Accompanied by the Trade Commissioner MM Abdul Rahim, Mr Wickrematunge said that the country is investing in intelligence to avoid potential acts of terrorism in the future. He also commented on the nation’s economy and tourism opportunities.
March 12, 2019: ABC’s host Kumi Taguchi explores the “Role of Women in Media and Politics” for International Women’s Day
ABC’s host Kumi Taguchi met Foreign Correspondents’ in Sydney to talk about her career as a Journalist in Australia. With a Japanese background, Kumi Taguchi faced many professional challenges, but she overcame them all to become a regular and recognised host for ABC and major events such as The Invictus Games. Kumi Taguchi has been working in media for over two decades, and she celebrates the fact that the media landscape in Australia is changing to embrace different cultures and perspectives.
February 28, 2019: “Luxperience” brings to Australia the latest trends in luxury travelling
From 7-10 October, buyers and suppliers of luxury experiential travel will be in Sydney to exchange ideas and create business connections at the “Luxperience” 2019. Its Director, Michelle Papas, briefed Foreign Correspondents on the event details, saying that it celebrates the cultures of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Michelle also said that the luxury consumer wants more authentic, meaningful and unique high-end experiences. The luxury travel market offers that opportunity for travellers willing to pay $20.000-$50.000 average per booking. This is an invitation-only event for delegates from all over the world.
December 4, 2018: “Investing in Fiji” Program was presented to Foreign Correspondents in Australia
With a population of almost 900.000 and only a 4.5% unemployment rate, Fiji has registered the 9th consecutive year of economic growth in 2017, with 3.5% growth forecasted for 2018. In order to promote the beautiful Pacific islands as a hub for foreign investors, the Fijian government is implementing pro-growth reforms. In a Press Conference for the FCA, the Consul-General, Zarak Khan, explained the projects, which aim to make Fiji a top economic destination in sectors such as Agriculture, Manufacturing and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
In an exclusive Press Conference for Foreign Correspondents in Sydney, the Former Prime-Minister Kevin Rudd said he decided to write The PM Years “to shed light on an obscure part of Australian history”, including the events that led to his downfall in June 2013. Rudd commented on Australia’s leadership instability and how it is affecting the country’s international reputation. He also talked about economy, Australia’s relationship with China and the USA as well as refugees. The PM Years recounts Rudd’s achievements and sorrows in 652 pages.
October 3, 2018: DFAT and FCA discuss Australia’s Soft Power
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is currently leading a review of Australia’s soft power, which is a commitment of the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. This is the nation’s first ever review of this type, which seeks to generate new ideas and thinking on Australia’s soft power assets and partnerships, as well as policy options for maximising Australia’s reputation and prosperity in the future.
The Foreign Correspondents Association was invited to contribute to the discussions. The President Hiroki Iijima, the Vice-President Sandip Hor and the Treasurer Liz Lacerda represented the FCA in the meeting. The Government has extended the consultation period and invites interested parties to provide a written submission by Friday 12 October 2018.
September 25, 2018: FCA Briefing with NSW Minister for Primary Industries at NSW Parliament House
The Minister for Primary Industries of New South Wales, Niall Blair, told Foreign Correspondents that Australia is working in partnership with other countries to research and implement initiatives in order to avoid or minimise the impact of drought on farms and food production. Blair also commented on the State and Federal governments long-term plan to assist farmers to build infrastructure and to support them during hard times. The governmental initiatives to help farmers include The Farm Innovation Fund and the Farm Household Allowance.
More News:
August 6, 2018: New FCA Board members were elected at the AGM
June 28, 2018: “The Tourism Opportunity for Australia: 2020 and Beyond”
May 28, 2018: “US Foreign Policy in Asia and Nuclear-free Korean Peninsula”
May 25, 2018: Foreign Correspondents witness the “lights on” VIVID SYDNEY 2018.
March 9, 2018: Video link to the last FCA briefing with the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Tilman Ruff, filmed and edited by Thorsten Joses. Read more here.
EVENTS
We have a busy calendar of newsworthy and social events. FCA regularly invites experts in the field of politics, business, academics, Indigenous affairs and civil society from around Australia and beyond as guest speakers. We also host social get-togethers and dinners, which offer a great opportunity for members, their families and friends to network.
