January 23, 2008 | 12:00am
Australia named yesterday its new ambassador to the Philippines to replace Tony Hely whose tour of duty ends in March.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, through the Australian Embassy in Manila, announced the appointment of Rod Smith as Hely’s replacement. Hely has been ambassador since March 2005.
Smith is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University. He was awarded the Public Service Medal in January 2007 for outstanding public service as head of Australia’s consular service. Smith is married with two children.
The Philippines and Australia have strengthened relations in recent years, particularly in the areas of security and counter-terrorism and in trade and investment.
“Our defense relationship also continues to expand. Australia is a significant external source of training assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the embassy said in a statement.
Australia and the Philippines signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) during the state visit to Australia of President Arroyo in May 2007.
But Australia has expressed apprehension over the delay in the ratification of SOVFA by the Philippine Senate. The Australian Parliament has already ratified the defense pact.
“The Senate of course has a lot of issues on its plate. The issue is that we get a little nervous that it might get pushed back and pushed back because of a lot of competing interests,” Hely told reporters last week during the annual Journalists’ Reunion hosted by the Australian Embassy.
“We are hoping the Senate will give the SOVFA detailed consideration and hold public hearings and interviews from people and try to do that in a fairly expeditious manner,” Hely said. He said Australia’s Parliament ratified the deal last September without much hassle.
“It was simply a mark of confidence by our Parliament in the Philippines as a defense partner and we do hope that the Philippine Senate will reciprocate that trust and confidence,” he said.
“It is up to the Philippine Senate to have a good detailed consideration of the SOVFA and be satisfied with the content,” he added.
Unlike the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), Hely said the SOVFA is “non-controversial” because its provisions are more transparent and cover accountability.
“The presence, the temporary presence of military personnel in both countries is highly reciprocal so we do not think it should cause a problem,” he said.
Australia provided the Philippines with A$10-million assistance package last year, principally for strengthening law enforcement, immigration, and transport security.
