The Latest Breaking News from DFAT

Australians describe devastating aftermath of deadly Türkiye, Syria earthquake

Ahmet Kurtul says his family had to rush into the street when the first earthquake hit on Monday and was evacuated to a nearby military base, as Australians in the country come to terms with the scale of the disaster.

ABC News · Feb 9, 2023

DFAT accused of bungling 2023 graduate program recruitment, excluding diverse candidates

The CPSU writes to DFAT alleging that more than a quarter of the applicants who got a conditional offer to join the program were rejected months later, and that many who could not get their security clearances in time to join were from diverse backgrounds.

ABC News · Feb 9, 2023

International Development Minister Pat Conroy wants AusAID to regain prominence within DFAT

With a wideranging review of Australia's development policies underway, Pat Conroy wants DFAT to refocus on hiring and promoting specialists with the skills to help AusAID "take over" the department.

ABC News · Feb 9, 2023

Pilots likely 'lost control' in fatal Nepal plane crash with Australian on board, airline consultant says

The domestic Yeti Airlines plane went down during a 27-minute flight from Nepal's capital Kathmandu to Pokhara, a tourist town known as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular hiking trail in the Himalayas.

ABC News · Jan 16, 2023

Australia needs to rethink Papua New Guinea aid. People need power and water, not governance workshops

You can’t enhance human development when 87% of the population does not have power and transport mainly consists of walking

The Guardian - AU · Jan 11, 2023

Australian MPs throw support behind Iranians who are facing execution

Some Australian MPs are publicly backing young Iranians facing the death sentence, hoping the negative publicity for the regime might stave off imminent executions.

ABC News · Jan 10, 2023

Australian killed fighting Russia in Ukraine, says government

Sage O’Donnell, from Victoria, is at least the fourth Australian to die in the war in Ukraine.

Al Jazeera · Dec 28, 2022

DFAT Confirms A 24YO Australian Man Has Been Killed Fighting In Ukraine

"Sage died in action defending the freedom of the Ukrainian people."

Pedestrian.tv · Dec 28, 2022

Australian man killed fighting in Ukraine just before Christmas remembered for his 'kind heart'

The mother of Victorian man Sage O'Donnell says he "died in action defending the freedom of the Ukrainian people" just before Christmas.

ABC News · Dec 28, 2022

Australia could ramp-up actions against Iran for 'egregious' human rights abuses, inquiry told

Australia could ramp up measures against Iran for its "egregious" human rights abuses, including the execution of protesters, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.

ABC News · Dec 21, 2022